D.C. Metro Wins Again!

[scubanurse]

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Metro-Worker-Killed-on-Tracks-82667477.html

Two Metro workers were struck and killed by a piece of equipment on the Red Line around 1:45 a.m. Tuesday near the Rockville station.

The Metro employees, both males, were struck by a high rail truck, a large truck that is equipped with special wheels that allow it to drive on the track when electricity that usually powers trains is taken down.

"Something went horribly wrong this morning and they were struck by the vehicle," said Metro's Lisa Farbstein.

One worker, 49, died at the scene. The other worker, 68, died at the hospital.

The identity of the employees, both automatic train technicians, will be released after next of kin have been notified.

Metro’s Safety Office notified the National Transportation Safety Board and the Tri-State Oversight Committee of the incident Tuesday morning.

Red Line service has been shut down between the Shady Grove, Rockville and Twinbrook stations. Metro will provide free shuttle bus service. Metro said customers should expect long waits for bus service as a bus only can carry about 50 passengers while a six-car train can carry about 800 passengers.

Customers are encouraged to avoid the Shady Grove and Rockville Metrorail stations, if possible, and to use the nearby Twinbrook and Grosvenor-Strathmore Metrorail stations to catch a train. Red Line alternative Metrobus routes are the Q6 from Shady Grove to Wheaton or the Q4 from Rockville to Silver Spring.

There has been a series of fatal accidents and mishaps on Metro since last year. The worst was a June crash that killed eight passengers and the train operator. Two other workers were killed in separate accidents last year.

Last month, a team of inspectors were nearly hit by a train that Metro officials say was traveling too fast. Three workers were hurt

in November when a train returning to a northern Virginia rail yard hit a parked train.

[fireflymedic]

Very sad. Perhaps there needs to be some improvement to the current warning system to ensure this doesn't happen again? I'm not familiar enough with trains or the railroad industry to understand how these deaths/inuries can happen, but I should think there was an attitude of comfort and guard was let down. No different from what we do in EMS. You get comfortable with the every day and that's when accidents happen. Prayers for their families and hope for comfort for them.

[scubanurse]

It is very sad. Even more so in light of all the problems Metro is having. Safety inspectors were almost hit and killed not too long ago, the MCI back in June, and a plethora of other safety issues Metro is having. They need to get their act together.