A New York City subway train derailed in a collision with another train on Thursday, resulting in more than 20 injuries and significant service disruptions during the afternoon rush hour. The incident occurred on the Upper West Side near the 96th Street station, involving a 1 train carrying approximately 300 passengers and an out-of-service Metropolitan Transportation Authority train with four workers on board. The collision caused the 1, 2, and 3 train lines in most of Manhattan to be temporarily halted. Efforts are underway to clear the tracks and resume service by Friday morning, although no guarantees have been made.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the derailment occurred after the out-of-service train became stuck when multiple emergency stop cords were pulled. Authorities are examining the possibility of human error, as there were no immediate signs of equipment failure. Richard Davey, the president of New York City transit for the MTA, expressed relief that there were no serious injuries and emphasized the need to determine how two trains were able to collide.
The New York subway system, which has been grappling with power outages, signal problems, and other breakdowns in recent years, has faced its fair share of challenges. This incident further emphasizes the need for comprehensive infrastructure upgrades and modernization efforts.
Emergency personnel, including firefighters, worked diligently to help passengers evacuate from both the impacted train and another train that had to stop in the tunnel due to the collision. Seven passengers and one crew member were transported to hospitals for further medical attention. The scene was filled with at least 20 emergency vehicles, including police, fire, and MTA responders.
Authorities and transit officials continue to investigate the cause of the collision as crews strive to restore normal subway service. Updates regarding the incident and resumption of service will be provided as more information becomes available.
