Death Toll Rises to 9 in D.C. Metro Train Collision
WASHINGTON, D.C. - At least nine people were killed, and 76 injured Monday afternoon when two Metro trains collided during rush hour here.
D.C. Fire/EMS Chief Dennis Rubin said Tuesday morning that crews worked through the night searching the wreckage for victims. It was a tedious effort as one train literally telescoped the other.
Rubin said the wooded area near the crash site also was scoured to make sure there were no victims. "We wanted to make sure no one was thrown clear..."
A crane was brought in to assist with moving debris.so firefighters can gain access to other areas of the wrecked cars.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries during the incident. Rubin said they were taken to a hospital where they were released after treatment.
During the initial response, more than 200 fire and rescue personnel responded to the collision, the deadliest in the city's transit system history.
Rubin explained the nature of injuries using the national triage system. Of the 70 patients seen so far, two were tagged with red cards indicating they suffered serious injuries. A dozen people were identified with yellow tags indicating they were hurt but not as critically.
Another 50, who received green tags. They were the "walking wounded." Some were taken by bus to area hospitals.
Others also had black tags, indicating they suffered fatal injuries in the 5:02 p.m. collision. One victim was the operator of one of the striking trains.
Some of the injured were flown by helicopter to area trauma centers, while others went by ambulance. A physician at George Washington Hospital described two people as very, very serious.
Rubin said crews from Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria, Va. as well as Montgomery and Prince George's responded to assist with the incident and to handle other calls in the city. A mass casualty EMS unit from Montgomery County responded as well.
Rubin said there has been tremendous cooperation among city and mutual aid agencies as the incident continues.