The Boston Globe reports that a commuter rail accident earlier this week injured 18 people. The MBTA crash occurred on the Worcester line as it entered South Station Tuesday morning. The engineer controlling the commuter train reportedly mistimed the train’s entry into the station and hit a metal bumping post. The impact knocked passengers off their feet, onto the floor, and into seats around them. Most of their injuries were minor.
A total of 13 people were taken to local hospitals. Nine passengers were carried from the scene of the accident on backboards. Five people were treated for minor injuries at the scene of the accident but refused to go the hospital. Five other patients were taken to Boston Medical Center, and four were expected to be released within a couple of hours, according to the chairman of emergency medicine. The firth person was taken in for observation.
A preliminary investigation of the train accident has ruled out issues with signals, dispatching, and equipment. In accordance with the MBTA’s policy, the driver was taken out of service and tested for drugs and alcohol. The 35-year-old had no disciplinary incidents in his personal record.
S. Station commuter train crash injures 18, Boston Globe, September 16, 2009
Contact a Massachusetts train accident attorney if you or a loved one has been injured on a train, subway, or bus.