The National Transportation Safety Board began an investigation into the deadliest Metrorail crash in the system’s 33-year history.
“We already have people en route,” NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson told The Examiner on Monday night.
The FBI was assisting the probe, according to city officials. The NTSB sent its “Go Team,” a collection of experts who try to get to the site as quickly as possible to determine the cause of major crashes such as the Hudson River airliner landing earlier this year.
Senior safety investigator Ed Dobranetski was dispatched to the crash sight in Northeast Washington and will lead the team to make a report of the crash. An investigation of this magnitude typically takes 12 to 18 months, he said.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority officials said the deadly crash occurred when one southbound train stopped near the Fort Totten station, and a second train hit it from behind. No additional details were available about the cause.
“For reasons we do not know, the second train plowed into the back of that train,” General Manager John Catoe said. “We are working to first get everyone outside of the train, and everyone who needs medical attention will get it.”
At least six people died in the crash, which occurred shortly after 5 p.m. The dead included the operator of the trailing train. Officials said 70 people were injured.
Police officials said families seeking information about people who might have been on the trains can call 202-727-9099.
