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Fatal crash on US subway system Fatal crash on US subway system
(10 minutes later)
Two rush-hour subway trains have collided in Washington DC, killing at least six people and injuring up to 70 others, according to officials.Two rush-hour subway trains have collided in Washington DC, killing at least six people and injuring up to 70 others, according to officials.
Carriages of one train came to rest on top of the other after hitting it from behind, although the cause is unclear.Carriages of one train came to rest on top of the other after hitting it from behind, although the cause is unclear.
The female driver of one of the trains is among the dead.The female driver of one of the trains is among the dead.
The crash - the worst in 33 years of the Metro system - happened above ground between Fort Totten and Takoma Park at 1700 local time (2200 BST).The crash - the worst in 33 years of the Metro system - happened above ground between Fort Totten and Takoma Park at 1700 local time (2200 BST).
Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said of the death toll: "It is my present understanding that this would then be the deadliest accident in the history of our Metro train transit system."Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said of the death toll: "It is my present understanding that this would then be the deadliest accident in the history of our Metro train transit system."
Washington Fire Chief, Dennis Rubin, said approximately 200 fire fighters were at the scene of the accident.Washington Fire Chief, Dennis Rubin, said approximately 200 fire fighters were at the scene of the accident.
He said 70 people were being treated for varying degrees of injury.He said 70 people were being treated for varying degrees of injury.
Washington's mayor has visited the scene of the crash
Fifty were walking wounded, 12 had moderate, non life-threatening injuries and two had life-threatening injuries. Two were airlifted from the scene, he said.Fifty were walking wounded, 12 had moderate, non life-threatening injuries and two had life-threatening injuries. Two were airlifted from the scene, he said.
He said: "We are in an active, live situation as we speak, conducting rescue from train car to train car.He said: "We are in an active, live situation as we speak, conducting rescue from train car to train car.
"This is going to go on for quite some time in that one [train] is essentially on top of the other as everyone knows and it takes a lot of equipment, co-ordination and effort.""This is going to go on for quite some time in that one [train] is essentially on top of the other as everyone knows and it takes a lot of equipment, co-ordination and effort."
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The general manager of the Washington subway, John Catoe, told reporters at the scene the authorities were trying to determine what had happened.The general manager of the Washington subway, John Catoe, told reporters at the scene the authorities were trying to determine what had happened.
"We're working... to make sure that we get everyone outside of the train - those who need medical attention, that they can get medical attention, and those who are not seriously injured are being walked out of the train," he said."We're working... to make sure that we get everyone outside of the train - those who need medical attention, that they can get medical attention, and those who are not seriously injured are being walked out of the train," he said.
Passenger Jodie Wickett told CNN she had been sitting on one train, sending text messages on her phone, when she felt the impact.Passenger Jodie Wickett told CNN she had been sitting on one train, sending text messages on her phone, when she felt the impact.
She said: "From that point on, it happened so fast, I flew out of the seat and hit my head."She said: "From that point on, it happened so fast, I flew out of the seat and hit my head."
Ms Wickett said she stayed at the scene and tried to help.Ms Wickett said she stayed at the scene and tried to help.
She added: "People are just in very bad shape. The people that were hurt, the ones that could speak, were calling back as we called out to them.She added: "People are just in very bad shape. The people that were hurt, the ones that could speak, were calling back as we called out to them.
"Lots of people were upset and crying, but there were no screams.""Lots of people were upset and crying, but there were no screams."
BBC correspondent Richard Lister said the accident had happened at the peak of rush hour, on what is a popular and busy commuter line.BBC correspondent Richard Lister said the accident had happened at the peak of rush hour, on what is a popular and busy commuter line.
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