Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 23, 2009

Metro to provide financial assistance to victims of Red Line collision

Emergency relief fund to help with funeral, medical expenses

FAQs related to train accident

Metro’s Board of Directors voted today (June 23) to provide immediate hardship financial assistance to the survivors and families of those whose loved ones lost their lives yesterday (June 22) in the collision of two Red Line trains between the Fort Totten and Takoma Metrorail stations.

The Board authorized Metro General Manager John Catoe to establish an emergency hardship relief fund of $250,000 from a reserve fund to provide financial relief for victims of the collision, to assist them with their medical, funeral and other immediate expenses.

Nine people, including train operator Jeanice McMillan, 42, of Springfield, Va., died as result of the collision.

The Board also directed the General Manager to establish appropriate criteria for determining qualifying hardship expenses and verifying the appropriate legal representative.

“This money is available now and is meant to help with immediate funeral arrangements and travel expenses,” said Jim Graham, Chairman of Metro’s Board of Directors. “We offer our sympathy and prayers to the families who have suffered tragic losses and to the loved ones of those who were injured.”

Metro safety and operations officials are working hand-in-hand with the National Transportation Safety Board investigating the cause of the accident.

Individuals seeking emergency hardship relief fund assistance and customers who were onboard train 112 or 214 seeking to file an injury claim should call 202-962-1681.  The claims are not for physical or mental health needs. 

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Media contact for this news release: 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.

News release issued at 5:13 pm, June 23, 2009.