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Fatal crash on US subway system Fatal crash on US subway system
(30 minutes later)
Two rush-hour subway trains have collided in Washington DC, killing at least four people and injuring up to 70 others, according to officials.Two rush-hour subway trains have collided in Washington DC, killing at least four people and injuring up to 70 others, according to officials.
One train hit the second from behind while it was stationary, the Associated Press news agency reported.One train hit the second from behind while it was stationary, the Associated Press news agency reported.
The female driver of one of the trains is said to be among the dead.The female driver of one of the trains is said to be among the dead.
The crash happened above ground between the Fort Totten and Takoma Park stations on the Metro system's red line at 1700 local time (2200 BST).The crash happened above ground between the Fort Totten and Takoma Park stations on the Metro system's red line at 1700 local time (2200 BST).
Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said: "What we do know is that there are scores of people who have been injured. There are already four confirmed fatalities.Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said: "What we do know is that there are scores of people who have been injured. There are already four confirmed fatalities.
"It is my present understanding that this would then be the deadliest accident in the history of our Metro train transit system.""It is my present understanding that this would then be the deadliest accident in the history of our Metro train transit system."
Washington fire spokesman Alan Etter told the Associated Press news agency the crash was developing into a "mass casualty event". Washington Fire Chief, Dennis Rubin, said approximately 200 fire fighters were at the scene of the accident.
He said crews had been cutting apart the trains to get people out. He said 70 people were being treated for varying degrees of injury.
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.
"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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Rescue workers treated 70 people at the scene and sent some to local hospitals.
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.
"We know that they've taken over 60 people off the train but as far as injuries are concerned we do not have a confirmed number."
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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