News

BREAKING: Fire Dept. on Scene of Metro Train Derailment Near Rosslyn

By ARLnow.com
1/12

(Updated at 11 p.m.) Arlington firefighters guided passengers to safety after a Metro train derailed near Rosslyn tonight.

A train became disabled in a tunnel between the Rosslyn and Arlington Cemetery stations around 5 p.m. after at least one of the cars derailed. Some 400 passengers were estimated to be on the train, which went dark after third rail power was cut ahead of the rescue operation, while a light haze of smoke or dust was reported in the tunnel.

At least three passengers received some degree of medical attention, including one apparently suffering a panic attack, according to initial reports. There are no reports of anyone with significant injuries, but one person was transported via ambulance to a local hospital in stable condition, according to the Arlington County Fire Department.

Early in the response, rescuers worked to access the train and its passengers via a hatch near the Iwo Jima memorial, closing a ramp along Route 50. Passengers were later evacuated from the train and walked down the track in groups to the Arlington Cemetery station.

The first of the evacuated passengers could be seen leaving the station on a live TV broadcast shortly before 7 p.m. As of 8 p.m., all passengers had been evacuated.

The Arlington Cemetery station is closed and Metro service on the Blue Line is likely to be interrupted for a significant amount of time as a result of the incident. Service changes will remain in effect on Wednesday.

A large emergency response filled Memorial Drive, outside the cemetery, alongside news crews and shuttle buses that ferried passengers back to another station to complete their journey.

The National Transportation Safety Board says it will investigate the derailment.

Stranded passengers posted photos and video on social media before and after being led down the tracks.

More via Twitter: