Metrolink Station Reopened, No Explosives Found

EL MONTE (KABC) -- A "suspicious item" found at the Metrolink commuter train station in El Monte today prompted officials to suspend service from San Bernardino to Los Angeles for about three hours while a bomb squad investigated.

The item was reported shortly before 6 a.m., and inbound trains were stopped at the Baldwin Park station, said Metrolink spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell. A bomb squad was sent to investigate.

The tracks were reopened about 9 a.m., but the station remained closed for nearly another hour, until police determined that no explosives were involved, Tyrrell said.

It was the second incident in two days involving Metrolink. At about 7:30 p.m. yesterday, some cars of Metrolink train Number 396 lost electrical power and the train, bound for Riverside, stopped at the El Monte station, from which the 120 passengers aboard the affected cars were bused to their destinations, Tyrrell said.

The train continued on and about an hour later the remaining cars lost power before reaching the Montclair station. The 200 remaining passengers were taken off the train at the Montclair station, where they boarded buses, she said.

There were no injuries and no danger to other trains, Tyrrell said, "just a lot of frustration."

The locomotive still worked, she said, but the lights in the cars were out and the heat and ventilation were not working.

The train was being repaired this morning, and other trains were in operation to handle Metrolink operations, Tyrrell said.

While such malfunctions are not unheard of, they are rare. Tyrrell said that in her five years with Metrolink, this is the first time a train has lost electrical power.

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•