Metro News Release

For immediate release: October 20, 2004

Metro provides update on this morning’s delay on the Orange and Blue lines

Metro had to single track Orange and Blue line trains between the McPherson Square and Federal Triangle Metrorail stations briefly this morning after a customer’s wheelchair tipped while he was exiting an Orange Line train bound for Vienna.

At 8:25 a.m., the customer was trying to exit the train at Federal Triangle. As he wheeled backwards to exit the rail car, the chair tipped onto the station platform. Metro staff were unable to safely move the customer from the train and called for emergency medical assistance. Paramedics arrived at the station at 8:37 a.m. and were able to safely move him away from the train before transporting him to Washington Hospital Center.

During this incident, the train was held at Federal Triangle Metrorail station and customers were offloaded. After emergency medical personnel moved the customer a safe distance from the train, customers were able to re-board and continue toward Vienna at 8:47 a.m.

Between 8:30 a.m. and 8:47 a.m. Metro single-tracked Blue and Orange Line trains between Federal Triangle and McPherson Square, which caused delays to customers. Metro apologizes for any inconvenience caused to its customers this morning.

News release issued on October 20, 2004.