A subway train derailed in Manhattan on Thursday afternoon, prompting a massive emergency response and major service disruptions on the 1/2/3 line.
According to MTA President Richard Davey, at least 24 people have sustained injuries in a train collision which occurred on the line near the 96th Street station on the Upper West Side at about 3:04 p.m. on Jan. 4.
The first car of a 1 train apparently made contact with another train that had been taken out of service. The incident happened just north of the station, causing the car to slip off the track.
“Thankfully there were no serious injuries. Obviously, two trains should not be bumping into one another. We’re gonna get to the bottom of that,” Davey said. “Thankfully this was low speed, we’ll get to the bottom of this and make sure that whatever occurred doesn’t happen again.”
Davey reported that there were about 300 passengers aboard the train at the time of collision, with those suffering injuries being minor in nature. The unoccupied train had apparently been taken out of service due to a straphanger having pulled several of its emergency breaks, leaving it stranded. It is currently unclear if this contributed to the collision.
Soon after the incident, passengers were left crying while others could be seen wincing in pain in the back of ambulances.
“It was so scary, I didn’t think I was going to make it out,” said one woman named Evelyn, a passenger on the train. “I was crying.”
Occupants described hearing a loud bang and being flung inside the carriages before seeing smoke. They then apparently had to climb through the train that struck them in order to escape.
“I didn’t know what was gonna happen next. I saw smoke. And I just got really nervous. I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know if it was attack,” said another passenger, named Michelle. “My neck hurts and I am really shaken up.”
Video obtained by amNewYork Metro from a passenger shows a firefighter breaking through the top of one of the cars in an apparent effort to help trapped passengers get out. Once they were able to access an adjacent car, the passengers were escorted out by first responders.
NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said that two K-9 officers were already in the station at the time of the incident and were immediately notified by a commuter who saw the situation unfold. FDNY chief Mike Myers said firefighters arrived within three minutes.
Davey also reported that the investigation into exactly how the trains impacted one another is underway, however, early reports suggest that it was not a mechanical issue. Davey also declared that the MTA will be working overnight in order to restore service but it may not be up and running again for the morning rush hour.
The FDNY said 60 firefighters responded to the incident, which was brought under control at about 4:30 p.m.
The service disruption largely impacts all 1/2/3 service in Manhattan. Visit mta.info for additional information on service changes.
This is a developing story; check with amNY.com later for further updates.
