Train Accidents

Published on: September 12, 2016

Sixteen Injured in Los Angeles Metrolink Train Accident

By Brian Chase

At least 16 people were injured in a Metrolink train accident in Los Angeles when a commuter train carrying 187 passengers struck a box truck According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the collision occurred the morning of September 6, 2016 when a Metrolink train heading south toward Los Angeles on the Antelope Valley line struck a tractor-trailer sitting on the tracks. The train had just pulled out of the Sun Valley station and was moving at about 15 to 20 mph when it struck the truck. Continue reading →

Published on: August 27, 2012

32 Injured in Metro Blue Line Crash in Downtown Los Angeles

By Brian Chase

A train accident involving a Metro Blue Line train and a Metro bus in downtown Los Angeles left at least 32 people injured the morning of August 27, 2012. According to a City News Service report, the injury crash occurred at San Pedro Street and Washington Boulevard. Officials say 32 people were hurt, one seriously. Twenty people were transported to the hospital for examination. None of those injuries is believed to have been life-threatening. The bus, which was operating on line 51, was traveling south on San Pedro Street when the accident occurred. Officials are still looking into what caused this accident.

My heart goes out to the many injured victims of this bus accident. I wish them all the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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Published on: December 7, 2010

Eight Injured in Los Angeles Train Accident

By Brian Chase

Eight people were injured, two critically, in a Los Angeles car accident after a Metro Blue Line train collided with a minivan that was stalled in the train tracks. According to an ABC news report, the minivan versus train accident occurred at the intersection of East 41st Street and Long Beach Avenue the night of December 2, 2010 in South Los Angeles. The two occupants of the stalled minivan were able to get out of the way before the train struck their vehicle. The eight injured train passengers were taken to area hospitals. The driver of the minivan has been arrested on suspicion of felony DUI.
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Published on: September 7, 2010

Dangerous Public Property Causes Severe Bicycle Accident

By Brian Chase

Julie Farris suffered severe brain injury after being struck by a trolley on the Azusa Pacific University Campus in the City of Azusa, California. At the time of the accident, Julie was riding her bicycle on the 800 Block of East Foothill Boulevard, the main roadway that links the East and West campuses.

The 800 Block was, and had been for some time, in dangerous condition. Many students struggled to travel this road numerous times a day, and were forced to weave around parked cars and congested traffic within the small usable space of the roadway. At the time of the accident, Julie had to ride her bike on the opposite side of the road, against traffic, because of the complete disorganization and lack of space on the side that went with the flow of traffic. It was at this point that she was struck by the trolley.
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Published on: September 24, 2009

Two Injured In San Francisco Train Accident

By Brian Chase

At least two people were injured on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009 in a San Francisco train accident when a bus struck an F-line streetcar.
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Published on: July 22, 2009

Driver Error May Have Caused San Francisco Train Accident

By Brian Chase

All evidence seems to be pointing toward human error in a July 18, 2009 San Francisco Muni train accident that injured 48 people–four seriously–the Associated Press reports. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators are trying to determine why the operator of a light rail that crashed into a parked train turned off the automatic controls moments before the train collision. Had the operator kept the autopilot on, federal investigators say, the train would have slowed down before arriving at the West Portal Station and not crashed into the other train. Investigators say they have not found any mechanical problems with the train so far.

Authorities would not identify the driver, but say he started as a San Francisco bus driver 30 years ago and started operating light rail trains about two years ago. He also apparently suffered serious injuries and has taken a drug test as part of Muni’s standard procedure. Investigators are also looking into whether the use of a cell phone played a role in this train crash. This is the fourth major subway or commuter train accident in the last 10 months in the United States. Reportedly more than 200 million commuters take San Francisco’s mass transit system.
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Published on: July 20, 2009

San Francisco Muni Metro Train Crash Injures 48

By Brian Chase

Safety inspectors are looking into what caused a Municipal Railway train accident that injured 48 people–four severely–after one train rear-ended another at the West Portal Station on July 18, 2009, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The train crash occurred when a L-Taraval train rammed the rear of a K-Ingleside train near the station’s boarding platform. The impact from the train collision reportedly shattered the front window of the L train and crumpled its steel nose.

The driver of the L train was the most seriously injured. Three commuters also suffered major injuries, but are said to be in stable condition. Also, 24 people suffered serious injuries and were taken to area hospitals by ambulance. The rest apparently suffered relatively minor injuries. Officials say this is the largest train accident the Municipal Railway has had. Eyewitnesses said they saw many victims suffer head and neck injuries.

My heart goes out to all the injured victims of this California train crash. I’m, however, relieved that no one suffered life-threatening injuries. I wish all the injured victims the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.
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Published on: June 23, 2009

Washington D.C. Metrorail Train Accident Kills Nine, Injures Many Others

By Brian Chase

At least nine people were killed and scores of other commuters were injured in a Washington D.C. train accident the evening of June 22, 2009. According to a Fox News report, one Metro train smashed into the back of another during rush hour traffic causing the front end of one train to jackknife violently into the air and fall on top of the other. Cars of both trains were ripped open and smashed together in what officials say is the worst train accident in the Metrorail’s 33-year history. Washington D. C. fire officials treated at least 76 people at the scene and many were sent to area hospitals including six people with critical injuries. Among the dead was Jeanice McMillan, operator of the trailing train.

Officials said the first train was stopped on the tracks waiting for another to clear the station ahead when the trailing train plowed right into it from behind. Officials have not been able to explain what caused this catastrophic train crash. The trailing train is said to be one of the oldest in the Metro fleet. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident.
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Published on: December 17, 2008

Anaheim Train versus Auto Collision Kills Woman

By Brian Chase

Linda Krueger-Small, 68, of Lake Forest was killed after she was struck by a freight train on December 15, 2008. The Anaheim train accident occurred after Krueger-Small’s car became stuck on the railroad tracks near Lakeview and Orangethorpe avenues. A passerby tried to get her out of the vehicle, but couldn’t do so before the train hit the vehicle. Our source for this blog is this news report in The Orange County Register. The train’s engineer apparently told officials that he saw the vehicle on the tracks, but couldn’t stop the train in time to avoid the fatal collision.

I offer my deepest condolences to the family of Linda Krueger-Small, who died in this tragic accident. Going by readers’ comments to the news report, she was obviously well regarded and loved by many. Unfortunately, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. My heart also goes out to the Good Samaritan who tried to help Krueger-Small get out of the car, but wasn’t able to do so. I pray for his emotional recovery from this traumatic incident.
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Published on: November 28, 2008

Rialto Train Crash Caused by Metrolink Running a Red Signal

By Brian Chase

Federal officials who investigated a November 20, 2008 Metrolink train crash in Rialto say the commuter train that sideswiped a freight train had run a red signal, according to an Associated Press news report. Although four commuters suffered relatively minor injuries in this recent train accident, another catastrophic Metrolink accident in Chatsworth on September 12, 2008 killed 25 and injured about 135 people, many critically. In that case, a Metrolink engineer crashed head-on into a Union Pacific freight train because he missed a red signal.

In the most recent train crash in Rialto, the eastbound Metrolink train was carrying 15 passengers and crew members. Investigators for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the train failed to stop at a red light about 150 feet from where it hit the rear cars of a Burlington National Santa Fe freight train. Investigators also said that the red signal appeared to have been working at the time of the collision. Officials are now investigating the train’s brakes and its operators as they try to pinpoint a cause.
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