By Erika Hernandez
A collision between a work vehicle and a parked train in the US capital left 11 people injured early Wednesday morning. Authorities confirmed that the injuries are not serious, although the incident generated significant delays on the Silver line of the Washington transportation system.
The accident occurred shortly after midnight on the network operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), known as Metro. The impact involved a maintenance vehicle and a stopped train.
According to the agency, The 11 affected passengers received medical attention for injuries considered non-fatal. No fatalities have been reported.
Interruptions in Silver Line service
The collision forced operational adjustments to be implemented on one of the busiest routes in the system as limited service between Ashburn and Clarendon, while passengers bound for Fresh Carrollton or Downtown Largo must transfer to the Orange line. Additionally, trains operate on single track between McPherson Sq. and Smithsonian.
Although the Metro Middle station reopened around 5:15 a.m., delays continued during rush hours.
Transportation authorities are conducting an investigation to determine the exact causes of the crash. So far, it has not been determined whether the incident was the result of an operational, human or mechanical failure.
The Washington DC railway system, which has 98 stations and more than 200 kilometers of tracks, moves hundreds of thousands of passengers daily. Its operation is key to mobility in the metropolitan region, especially during hours of greatest labor demand.
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