At Least 7 Dead in "Worst Crash in Metro History"

UPDATE 12:03pm: The number dead again stands at 9. See the above story by clicking HERE for the most recent information.

UPDATE: The number of dead has been revised to 7. Initial reports had the number as high as 9. This post has been updated to reflect the change. WRGW will keep you updated as details emerge.

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"It looks to be the worst Metro accident in D.C. history," D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty told reporters after a rush hour Red line collision leaves at least seven dead and dozens more injured.

The crash took place at 5:02pm between the Fort Totten and Takoma Park Metro stations, in a suburban area near the Maryland border.

Photographs show the cars of one train on top of another train, the floor of the top train missing and fire department ladders leading to the highest points. Passengers describe the above-ground collision as a "bomb going off," and remember plumes of smoke, dust, and debris.


The district's fire chief Dennis Rubin reports that some 70 people were brought to area hospitals, including a handful to George Washington University Hospital. Others were bused to the hospital for treatment and are being released as the night continues.


The investigation is ongoing but Metro General Manager Joe Catoe told reporters that the train may have been waiting to leave the station when it was struck behind by another train. The operator of one of those trains is among those reported dead.

Initially outlets were reporting no injuries.


"First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims. I want to thank our GW hospital staff and volunteers for their hard work in treating the injured GW President Steven Knapp said in a statement released to the GW community. "We know that a number of our staff, students and faculty members use the Red Line to get to our campus and will be affected by today's collision."

The Red line will remain closed between the Silver Spring and Rhode Island stations for a large part of tomorrow and Metro is advising riders to avoid the line all together.

President Knapp said those faculty members who have difficulty commuting to work will be granted a "liberal leave" and "appropriate accommodations." Colonial Inauguration will continue as planned.

This is the first Metro accident since the January 1982 involving casualties and the first train-to-train crash since 2004 when trains collided at the Woodley Park/Adams-Morgan station, also on the Red line. The 1982 derailment between the Federal Triangle and Smithsonian resulted in three dead.

The crash is more bad news for Metro, which saw a gang-related shooting outside its Columbia Heights Metro station.

Meanwhile GW Hospital remains in the headlines having just been the backdrop for the Holocaust Memorial Museum shooting that left one dead and the shooter in critical condition at the facility.

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- Jesse Regis