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12 Feb 2010 12:10

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U.S.: D.C. gets back to work just in time for the Metro to break. Yes!

  • 150 passengers stuck at one of D.C.’s busiest metro stations, Farragut North (it’s downtown)
  • 90 minutes stuck on a freaking train during rush hour; scary, but nobody was injured at all
  • three hours the government has been back at work since the snow shut it down for a week source

26 Jan 2010 09:11

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U.S.: D.C.’s Metro once again fails at not causing accidents

  • 2 workers died before rush hour; this is not an isolated incident source

27 Sep 2009 10:55

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U.S.: L.A.’s MetroLink is responsible for a TON of fatalities

  • 244 people died in MetroLink-related crashes over the last 15 years
  • 25 people died in a head-on collision with a freight train last year source

23 Jun 2009 11:08

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U.S.: Feds: We told the D.C. Metro to upgrade trains; they didn’t yet

  • The trains involved were getting old and outdated. In response to a 2004 crash that injured 20, the National Transportation Safety Board says that it told the city of Washington in 2006 that it needed to upgrade some of its trains or phase them out. It didn’t happen. “They have not been able to do that and our recommendation was not addressed,” NTSB spokeswoman Debbie Hersman said. For Metro riders: this is not good. source

23 Jun 2009 08:59

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U.S.: The tally from the D.C. Metro crash has risen, but not hugely

  • 7 people died in the accident, which tore out an entire Metro car in dramatic fashion, sez mayor Adrian Fenty
  • 75 people were directly involved in the accident, which happened during rush hour traffic yesterday afternoon source

22 Jun 2009 21:34

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U.S.: Survivors note how scary the D.C. Metro incident was

  • It happened so quick. The floor smushed up. It was lifted up. I saw the debris flying toward me. I was choking on the smoke.
  • Brianna Milstead • A 17-year-old high school student who was in the colliding train’s front car when it crashed into a train held up by traffic. The train crashed spectacularly, raising the car Milstead was in on top of the other one and tearing out its floor. Another survivor in the center of the storm, Marcie Bacchus, 30, put it succinctly: “The front of the train just opened up.” • source

22 Jun 2009 21:20

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U.S.: Post-crash, why being a commuter in D.C. will suck tomorrow

  • one As opposed to the automated computer controls the trains usually use, all trains will be operating in manual mode tomorrow.
  • two The crash happened on the Red Line, by far the busiest line and the main downtown line, ensuring that commutes will be a pain.
  • three Those who use Maryland’s MARC commuter rail lines will also be in trouble, as the Brunswick Line is suspended indefinitely.
  • four Sure, buses will be running to replace the trains, but Red Line trains hold up to 1,000 people. Your average Metro bus holds 50-60.
  • five And finally, the intangible. Anytime a major crash like this happens, fear sets in. Tensions flare. Careful tomorrow, guys. source
 

22 Jun 2009 18:30

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U.S.: Holy God, this DC Metro crash is bad. Very bad.

At least two people have been confirmed dead thus far. And lots of people are injured. This is the scariest thing we’ve ever seen. source

22 Jun 2009 18:10

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U.S.: Scary: If you live in DC and use the Metro, stay off the Red line

  • Metro reports that 2 train collided and one train is on top of the other train. Metro reports massive injuries at this time. The green line and the red line are affected. Further information to follow.
  • A text alert sent by the AlertDC system • Informing commuters of a crash on the DC Metro’s Red Line. Here’s a photo. We’ll keep you posted as more happens. • source