This time it's the Red Line platforms at Gallery Place. In rush hour. Metro's website (http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4165) and Dr. Gridlock (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/getthere/2009/11/person_struck_at_gallery_place.html) have more.
Was there ever this disturbing of a trend of (to use a NYC term) "12-9's" on the Metro system anytime in the 33 years and change before the Fort Totten crash? Or might the bleak state of affairs in the US might have something to do with it?
Well, according to Metro's site, there was an altercation between two guys and one person pushed the other onto the tracks behind the last car of a Red Line train.
http://wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4168
Metro Transit Police investigating incident
Metro Transit Police are investigating a preliminary report of an individual who was pushed into the side of a Red Line train. The train was stopped and servicing the platform at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail station at about 3:35 p.m. today (Nov. 30) at the time of the incident. The train was headed in the direction of Shady Grove.
The preliminary investigation indicates that two young men were involved in an altercation and one individual pushed the other into the side of the last car of a six-car train. The young man fell to the platform and was aided by local emergency medical first responders. The individual, a minor, was transported to a nearby hospital.
The incident train was held at the scene of the accident for 45 minutes. Customers on the Red Line experienced delays as a result of the incident. Red Line trains were taking turns sharing one track (single-tracking) between Farragut North and Judiciary Square Metrorail station while the train was being held at the scene.
Media contact for this news release at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.
News release issued at 4:38 pm, November 30, 2009.