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Fatal crash on US subway system Fatal crash on US subway system
(about 2 hours 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, leaving at least six people dead and 76 injured.
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 as it was stationary, although the cause is unclear, officials said.
The female driver of one of the trains is among the dead. The female driver of the moving train was 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).
President Barack Obama said in a statement: "Michelle and I were saddened by the terrible accident in north-east Washington DC. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends affected by this tragedy.President Barack Obama said in a statement: "Michelle and I were saddened by the terrible accident in north-east Washington DC. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends affected by this tragedy.
"I want to thank the brave first responders who arrived immediately to save lives.""I want to thank the brave first responders who arrived immediately to save lives."
Washington Fire Chief, Dennis Rubin, said approximately 200 firefighters were at the scene of the accident.
He said 70 people were being treated for varying degrees of injury.
Washington mayor Adrian Fenty has visited the scene of the crashWashington mayor Adrian Fenty 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. Washington fire chief Dennis Rubin said approximately 200 firefighters were at the scene of the accident.
He said: "We are in an active, live situation as we speak, conducting rescue from train car to train car. He said 76 people were treated at the scene and six of those were sent to hospital with critical injuries.
"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." He said the majority were walking wounded.
Popular line Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty described it as "the deadliest accident in the history of our Metro train transit system".
The general manager of the Washington subway, John Catoe, told reporters at the scene the authorities were trying to determine what had happened. He added: "We have to at this time continue to act and behave as a rescue scene."
"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. BBC correspondent Richard Lister said it was possible people were still trapped in the lower of the two train carriages.
Passenger Jodie Wickett told CNN she had been sitting on one train, sending text messages on her phone, when she felt the impact. He said Mr Rubin had reported that parts of that carriage were 70 to 80% compressed.
The general manager of the Washington subway, John Catoe, confirmed the second train had crashed into the back of the first train as it was stationary.
He said: "The next train came up behind it and for reasons we do not know ploughed into the back of the train.
"We are committed to investigate this accident until we determine why this happened and what must be done to ensure it never happens again."
Passenger Jodie Wickett told CNN she had been sitting on one of the six-car trains, sending text messages on her phone, when she felt the impact.
We stopped and then it felt like an explosion... when we were hit it seemed like at full speed by the train behind us Train passenger
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. Another unnamed passenger said: "I was on the train that got hit. We stopped and then it felt like an explosion... when we were hit it seemed like at full speed by the train behind us.
"It was horrible. The second train - the first car was just absolutely shredded, the second car, the seats were out the window. It was awful."
Our correspondent added the accident had happened at the peak of rush hour, on what is a popular and busy commuter line.
The accident is the Metro network's first crash with a passenger fatality since 1982 when three people were killed in a derailment.
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