NTSB to Discuss Two Fatal Subway Accidents

WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting on Wednesday (Jan. 23) regarding two fatal Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrorail accidents.

The incidents happened within six months of one another that involved wayside workers.

On May 14, 2006, a southbound WMATA Metrorail Red Line subway train struck and killed a Metrorail employee as the train was about to enter the Dupont Circle station in Washington, D. C.

The employee was an automatic train control system mechanic who had been working with two other mechanics at the interlocking just north of the Dupont Circle station. All three mechanics had moved between the two main tracks north of the interlocking in order to stay clear of a northbound train that was leaving the station.

As the southbound accident train was arriving, the other two mechanics remained in the clear between the two trains as they passed and were not injured.

On November 30, 2006, a northbound WMATA Metrorail Yellow Line subway train struck and fatally injured two Metrorail employees who were performing a routine walking inspection of main track near the Eisenhower Avenue Metrorail station in Alexandria, Va.

The accident occurred as the northbound train was traveling about 35 mph along track normally used for southbound traffic.

— Special to Railfanning.org News Wire

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