D.C.’s Metro had a horrific accident on Jan. 12 that affected the Yellow Line, leaving one person dead and 80 injuries due to smoke inhalation.
Carol Glover of Alexandria, Va. died Jan. 12 after the tragic Yellow Line incident .
“On behalf of the Board of Directors and all Metro employees, I offer my deepest condolences to the family of the passenger who died yesterday following the incident on the Yellow Line,” Metro Board Chair Tom Downs said in a statement released Jan. 13. “To those who were injured or frightened, and to the thousands who have been inconvenienced by this major service disruption, I offer a heartfelt apology. Please also know that Metro is working to restore full service as soon as possible.”
Around 3:30 p.m. at the L’Enfant Plaza station was shut down for all passengers due to smoke escaping from a third subway car. Described as a fire activity and “harrowing situation,” the District’s Fire Department, the Metropolitan Police Department and federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security stepped in to investigate the catastrophe. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also involved to examine the crisis.
Many of the injured were transported to George Washington Hospital. Newly-elect Mayor Muriel Bowser came to visit the patients involved.
Jonathan Rogers, a passenger who got on the Green line accidentally and then transferred to the Yellow took footage of the smoke and sharing his video of what happened. He also tried to save Carol Glover, 61, of Alexandria, Va. She later died, according to news reports.
Newschannel 8 said the NTSB will develop three teams to analyze three areas of the accident. The teams will assess what happened at that moment, the communication used, the train operator’s actions, and what equipment worked and didn’t work. Teams will also analyze the emergency response and the people hurt, and the reason Glover died in this accident. Teams will also try to identify what caused the electrical charge to occur. The train did not derail.
“My heart goes out to the family and friends of the victim who died during yesterday’s tragic events at L’Enfant Plaza station and to those who were hospitalized,” Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said. She also requested a congressional briefing for the entire region on metro safety and emergency response procedures.