METRO rail accident knocks train off tracks

(12/23/05 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Several people are recovering after a light rail accident Friday. A pickup truck slammed into the train on Main at Elgin downtown and sent part of the train right off its tracks.

The accident is one of the worst in light rail's nearly two year history. Like most of the crashes that have plagued METRO's trains, the one shortly after noon on Friday is blamed on a driver.

A scene of mass casualties is what Houston paramedics encountered near where the collision took place.

"It kind of shook everybody to the left and got off the track," said passenger Gala Abdul-Aleem.

"We were scared because the train jumped," added passenger Rodolpho Castro.

The impact jarred the several dozen passengers on board.

"We thought the train was going down because it jumped a lot," said Castro.

The train stayed upright, but derailed slightly. As METRO engineers solved that problem, paramedics rushed seven passengers and the pickup truck driver to area hospitals.

"Most of the injuries are minor, but we take it seriously and we don't want it to happen any time of the year," said Raequel Roberts with METRO.

Passengers blame the mess on the truck's driver.

"We could see it coming," said Abdul-Aleem. "He started ringing the bell, but the guy ran the light. It was a trip because I was right behind the driver when it hit."

METRO officials will try to verify that account with a tape from a light rail camera -- a new investigation after a major crash that left one it's trains scarred and several people hurt.

If METRO police find the truck's driver is at fault, they will probably ticket him.
(Copyright © 2005, KTRK-TV)

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