Subway Collision and Derailment in Manhattan: 24 Injured, Service Disruptions Expected
A subway collision in Manhattan on Thursday afternoon led to the derailment of two 1 trains near 96th Street and Broadway on the Upper West Side, as reported by the MTA. The incident occurred around 3 p.m., resulting in 24 people sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, according to the FDNY.
NYC Transit President Richard Davey confirmed that both trains involved were 1 trains. One of the trains, carrying approximately 300 passengers, collided with another that was out of service due to vandalism. The out-of-service train had been tampered with, and emergency cords were pulled earlier, leading to the train’s immobilization in the station.
NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper praised the quick response of two transit K-9 officers who, alerted by a good Samaritan, provided aid and assisted in evacuating passengers from the trains to safety.
Images shared by the FDNY on Twitter depicted the severity of the impact on one of the trains. Passengers described the chaotic scene with crunched floors, damaged seats, and bent poles.
Officials confirmed that the injuries sustained were consistent with a low-speed train derailment. Emergency responders, fearing potential hazards, requested the MTA to switch off the power before evacuating passengers from the train.
NYC train collision causes subway derailment; 24 injured in crash@anadoluagency pic.twitter.com/EzgZwesHuk
— L. Vural Elibol (@vuralelibol) January 5, 2024
Witnesses recounted the harrowing experience, with one passenger describing the train shaking violently, causing panic among commuters. Another mentioned a loud boom, swaying of the train, and the onset of smoke, creating a nerve-wracking situation.
NYC Transit President Richard Davey addressed concerns about the incident, emphasizing the need to investigate the collision thoroughly. He mentioned that the out-of-service train had been operated from the middle, as emergency cords were reset, but one remained unreleased, causing the train to remain stuck.
Service disruptions are anticipated to persist, with full restoration potentially taking until Friday. Transit officials are working overnight to address the aftermath of the collision, and passengers are advised to check the MTA website or app for updates.
Commuters, caught off guard by the subway disruptions, shared their challenges, with some opting for alternative transportation methods and planning ahead for the next day. The MTA has scheduled a press briefing at 8:30 a.m. on Friday to provide further details on the derailment and any ongoing service changes.