Metro News Release
For immediate release: September 14, 2009
Metro employee dies four days after being struck by train
He was a 12-year veteran employee
A 12-year veteran Metro employee who was struck by a train on Thursday, September 10, died today, September 14, as a result of his injuries.
John Moore, 44, of Arlington, Va., had been a communications technician in Metro’s Track, Structures and System Maintenance Office. He was originally hired by Metro on December 30, 1996.
“We are saddened to learn of Mr. Moore’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends,” said Metro General Manager John Catoe. “We are investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident to determine what happened and to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future.”
Metro officials have launched an investigation into the accident that took place mid-morning on September 10, when Mr. Moore was struck by a six-car outbound Blue Line train at 10:40 a.m. between the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Braddock Road Metrorail stations.
According to the preliminary investigation, Mr. Moore walked down a staircase in a vent shaft, opened a door to the track bed area known as the “right of way” and was struck by the train. The full accident investigation is expected to take a few months to complete.
As a communications technician, Mr. Moore was responsible for repairs to the communications network that alerts the Operations Control Center of vital information coming from components such as fire alarms and sensors.
Metro officials notified the National Transportation Safety Board of the accident the day that it took place.
Mr. Moore is the third Metro employee who has died on the job this year. On June 22, train operator Jeanice McMillian died when her train struck a train that had stopped n front of hers near the Fort Totten Metrorail station. Eight passengers on board also died in that collision. On August 9, track repairman Michael Nash died when he was struck by a ballast regulator, which is a piece of equipment that spreads gravel along a track bed.
Media contact for this news release: Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.
News release issued at 7:51 pm, September 14, 2009.