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Boston Subway Crash

8 comments

Update:  Trolley driver admits “texting” while driving.  Scroll down.

mbta-a-globe

Boston Globe

TWO BOSTON MBTA GREEN LINE TRAINS collided at the Government Center station around 7:18 pm this evening (Friday).  Initial reports said that as many as 30 people Update:  46 people have been injured and approx. 1,00 people had to be evacuated from the two trolley-type trains.

A second alarm was struck shortly after the first units arrived and a third was sent around 8:00.

mbta-b-globe

Boston Globe photos

Early reports are saying that one of the trolleys rear-ended the other that was stopped at a red light between stations.  The operator of the moving train was the most seriously injured victim, but he was able to walk out of his car.  None of the other 45 injured appear to be very badly hurt with most of them suffering lacerations and bruises.

mbta-c-globe

Hat tip to Robert L. for additional information.

Update, Sat. 7 am:
The MBTA officials have said that the driver of the second trolley that rear-ended the stopped car has admitted that he was “texting” on his mobile phone at the time of the crash.

MBTA rules and policies strictly prohibit drivers from using any electronic device while they are operating the trains.  The 24-yr.-old trolley driver has worked for MBTA for two years.

MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskus is quoted,  ”It’s difficult for me to contain my outrage at hearing this.”

WFXB-TV has this updated video:

Posted by on May 8, 2009 • Filed under: rescue
  • Dal90

    Green line goes by Fenway, and it was a home game tonite if you didn’t guess by the predominant apparel in the Globe photos.

    Globe is also reporting the MBTA Chief has said the driver at fault was text messaging.

  • Dal90

    Green line goes by Fenway, and it was a home game tonite if you didn’t guess by the predominant apparel in the Globe photos.

    Globe is also reporting the MBTA Chief has said the driver at fault was text messaging.

  • adams chao

    though it seems a little accident?be careful everyone??

  • adams chao

    though it seems a little accident?be careful everyone??

  • Tam

    This will NOT be the last instance of a tragedy caused by a worker who didn’t take his responsibilities seriously, and it will not be confined to public transit operators.

    I think it’s important to identify root causes here. Sorry to say, I am not the first to notice a new level of immaturity in today’s workers. Specifically, employers are reporting 1) a decreased sense of accountability along with 2) an increased sense of entitlement. Think about it for one minute, and you begin to see that’s a dangerous combination.

    I’d go further, but the following, written by a high school teacher, does a better job than I ever could:

    http://donaldgallinger.com/dons-blog/jack-from-missouri/12-my-self-of-steam.html

    Unfortunately, I think imprisonment is necessary here. It may be unfair to the young driver, who perhaps was never taught a sense of social responsibility by the adults in his life. But neither were thousands of young people who are just entering the workforce. The only way to prevent future loss of life and limb may be to “shock and awe” these new workers.

    Then, as a more permanent measure, we MUST start teaching kids better values.

  • Tam

    This will NOT be the last instance of a tragedy caused by a worker who didn’t take his responsibilities seriously, and it will not be confined to public transit operators.

    I think it’s important to identify root causes here. Sorry to say, I am not the first to notice a new level of immaturity in today’s workers. Specifically, employers are reporting 1) a decreased sense of accountability along with 2) an increased sense of entitlement. Think about it for one minute, and you begin to see that’s a dangerous combination.

    I’d go further, but the following, written by a high school teacher, does a better job than I ever could:

    http://donaldgallinger.com/dons-blog/jack-from-missouri/12-my-self-of-steam.html

    Unfortunately, I think imprisonment is necessary here. It may be unfair to the young driver, who perhaps was never taught a sense of social responsibility by the adults in his life. But neither were thousands of young people who are just entering the workforce. The only way to prevent future loss of life and limb may be to “shock and awe” these new workers.

    Then, as a more permanent measure, we MUST start teaching kids better values.

  • Merck82ABN

    Tam has it totally correct, you can see it all over the place today. And I’m afraid that it will get worse before it gets better.

  • Merck82ABN

    Tam has it totally correct, you can see it all over the place today. And I’m afraid that it will get worse before it gets better.