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June 23, 2009

Mayor: 7 Killed in Washington Metro Train Crash
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=24EF419:A6F02AD83191E160D5F2C739F4A02A51D937473925D9872C&
 
Mayor Adrian Fenty says that authorities are treating scene as rescue
operation that is expected to continue all day 
Investigators and officials look over the collision scene of two Metro
transit trains in Northeast Washington, 23 Jun 2009Rescue crews and
investigators in Washington, D.C., are going through the wreckage of
Monday's subway train crash that killed at least seven people and
injured more than 70 others. Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty told
reporters Tuesday that authorities are treating the scene as a rescue
operation that is expected to continue all day. Officials say one train
rear-ended another train that had stopped on the tracks near an
above-ground train station in northeast Washington. National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokeswoman Debbie Hersman says the
cars on the train that was struck contained data recorders that will be
examined once rescue operations are completed. Hersman says the striking
train was made up of older cars that the NTSB had recommended be
replaced about three years ago. She says it was impossible to determine
what role the older cars played in the developments. The spokeswoman
says the older cars did not contain data recorders, but the tracks and
other physical evidence will be examined to determine what happened
moments before the crash. The impact was so hard the lead car of the
moving train was sliced open, vaulted into the air and landed on top of
the rear car of the other train. A crane was brought in early Tuesday to
help separate the wreckage. The rescue crews are working with the NTSB
to gather evidence related to the accident. Hersman says cell phone and
text records also are being gathered to see what can be learned from
them about the crash. The female operator of the moving train is among
the dead. Officials say at least six of the injured passengers are in
critical condition. Mayor Fenty called the crash the worst in the rail
system's 33-year history. U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife,
Michelle, issued a statement Monday night expressing their condolences
to the victims. 

Some information for this report was provided by AP.


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