Two train operators were treated for injuries that were not life-threatening after their trains were involved in a rear-end collision early Monday morning, Metro said in statement. The trains were returning to the rail yards after completing special post-baseball trips.
One operator had been released from a hospital by 6:30 a.m.
The two trains were traveling eastbound from Foggy Bottom in the direction of Farragut West. They were out of service and being moved to their respective rail yards.
The only person on each train was the operator.
Metro reported that the trains did not derail. No damage to the tunnel or its infrastructure was reported.
Commuters were asked to consider alternatives to Metro all day Monday as delays and single tracking were expected until closing.
“Hopefully it’s not going to make me late.” Metro rider reacts to overnight train collision near Farragut West station. No passengers were onboard and 2 train operators injured. Orange, Blue and silver lines now operating every 15 min. Delays expected, plan ahead! @WTOP pic.twitter.com/hBbtIKdcx8
— Melissa Howell (@Mhowell003) October 7, 2019
According to preliminary findings, one train was stopped outside Farragut West when it was struck in the rear by another train going approximately 11 mph.
Metro said both trains received “zero speed” commands from the signal system due to an occupied track ahead (a train on the platform at Metro Center station). Both trains responded to the signal system and stopped.
2/Photo no. 2: Car #3008, the lead car of train #700, the striking train pic.twitter.com/80CSb6L1OB
— Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (@MetrorailSafety) October 9, 2019
“While Metro has not yet identified the root cause of the incident, investigators have found no evidence of a signal system failure and have ruled out ‘loss of shunt’ as a cause,” the transit system said in a statement Monday afternoon.
Metro said in a news release that the investigation is also reviewing “human factors” as a possible cause, and they have interviewed both train operators.
Metro said it has notified the Metropolitan Washington Safety Commission and the National Transportation Safety Board as required.
WTOP’s Marcus Lustig, Melissa Howell and Abigail Constantino contributed to this report.
