In a startling incident in New York City, a subway train derailed following a low-speed collision with another train on Thursday afternoon. The mishap, which occurred on the Upper West Side near the 96th Street station, resulted in more than 20 people sustaining minor injuries and caused significant disruptions in subway services across Manhattan during the crucial rush hour.
Details of the Incident
Around 3 p.m., a collision between a 1 train, packed with approximately 300 passengers, and an out-of-service Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) train carrying four workers, led to a derailment. A derailment is defined as an incident where at least one wheel of a train leaves its track. This unexpected event led to the suspension of service on the 1, 2, and 3 lines across most of Manhattan.
Aftermath and Emergency Response
The aftermath of the collision saw a concerted effort by emergency responders. Photos circulating on social media depicted the passenger train partially off its tracks, near a track-switching area. MTA officials, at a subsequent news conference, mentioned the absence of immediate signs of equipment failure and are investigating potential human error as a cause.
Richard Davey, the president of New York City transit for the MTA, pointed out that the out-of-service train was immobilized due to the activation of several emergency stop cords. He emphasized the rarity and seriousness of such an incident, assuring a thorough investigation.
The response to the accident involved multiple emergency vehicles, including police, fire, and MTA response teams. Firefighters were instrumental in evacuating passengers from the derailed train and another train halted in the tunnel due to the collision. The NYPD reported that eight individuals, comprising seven passengers and one crew member, were hospitalized following the incident.
Impact on Commuters and Service Restoration Efforts
The derailment brought Manhattan’s rush hour commute to a standstill, highlighting the aging subway system’s ongoing struggles with maintenance issues like signal problems and power outages. Efforts were underway on Thursday night to clear the tracks, with hopes to restore service by Friday morning’s commute. However, officials did not guarantee a timeline for resumption.