New York City, In a low-speed collision on Thursday afternoon, a subway train derailed on the Upper West Side after colliding with an out-of-service Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) train. The incident left over 20 people with minor injuries, triggering significant disruptions across Manhattan during the rush hour, according to authorities.
The collision occurred around 3 p.m. near the 96th Street station when a 1 train, carrying approximately 300 passengers, collided with the MTA train, which had four workers on board. A derailment, defined as when at least one wheel of a train leaves the track, ensued.
The impact resulted in the suspension of service on the 1, 2, and 3 lines throughout most of Manhattan, as reported by the MTA. While crews worked tirelessly to clear the tracks, there were uncertainties about resuming service by Friday morning’s commute.
Photos shared on social media by city emergency management officials revealed the partially derailed passenger train in an area equipped with a track-switching mechanism. Authorities stated that there were no immediate signs of equipment failure, and investigations were underway to determine if human error played a role.
The out-of-service train had become stuck due to someone activating numerous emergency stop cords, explained Richard Davey, president of New York City transit for the MTA. At a news conference, Davey assured that there were no serious injuries, emphasizing the need to understand why two trains collided.
The incident added to the challenges faced by the aging New York subway system, which has grappled with power outages, signal problems, and other breakdowns in recent years. Firefighters played a crucial role in evacuating passengers from the in-service train and assisting several hundred more individuals from another train that had to stop in the tunnel due to the collision.
The NYPD reported that seven passengers and one crew member were transported to hospitals. The scene saw the deployment of at least 20 emergency vehicles, including police, fire, and MTA responders. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collision.
