Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 26, 2009

MARC train collides with Metrobus

Minor injuries reported

A Metrobus was involved in a collision with a MARC train and another Metrobus at about 4:24 p.m. today (March 26) at Queensbury Road and Lafayette Avenue in Riverdale, Md.

According to the preliminary report, Metrobus 6040, which had no passengers on board and was operating an F4 route to the New Carrollton Metrorail station, was traveling eastbound on Queensbury Road and attempting to cross the railroad tracks when it was delayed by a second Metrobus attempting to make a left turn.

The second Metrobus, number 9731, operating an F4 route to the Silver Spring Metrorail station, was traveling westbound on Queensbury Road. While bus 6040 waited for bus 9731 to complete its left turn, the railroad crossing gate hit the rear of bus 6040 and it was unable to move.

The impact of the train collision with bus 6040 caused it to spin and strike the driver’s side mirror of bus 9731. Seven passengers on bus 9731 were taken to an area hospital with minor, non-life threatening injuries. Approximately 12 people were on board the bus.

The bus operator of bus 6040, which was struck by the train, was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Prince George’s County police and fire authorities along with Metro Transit Police and Riverdale Police are investigating this incident. It is Metro’s standard procedure to remove bus operators involved in an accident for drug and alcohol testing. In addition, Metro will conduct its own internal investigation.

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News release issued at 7:09 pm, March 26, 2009.