2008 Massachusetts train collision
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On May 28, 2008, shortly before 6 p.m., two westbound MBTA trains collided on the Green Line D branch between Woodland and Waban stations, behind 56 Dorset Road in Newton, Massachusetts.[2] An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) originally found the cause of the accident to be due to the operator texting while driving,[dubious – discuss] but the NTSB later found that the operator of the rear train, Terrese Edmonds, had not been using her cell phone at the time of the crash, but rather went into an episode of micro-sleep, causing her to lose awareness of her surroundings and miss potential hazards up ahead. The collision killed Edmonds, and numerous others were injured.[2] Fourteen passengers were taken to area hospitals; one was airlifted.[3] This crash, along with another similar accident a year later, led the NTSB to set higher standards and regulations regarding the use of cell phones while operating a train.
2008 Massachusetts train collision | |
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Details | |
Date | May 28, 2008 5:51 pm |
Location | Newton, Massachusetts |
Line | Green Line D branch |
Operator | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
Incident type | Collision |
Cause | Micro-sleep episode caused by sleep apnea[1] |
Statistics | |
Trains | 2 |
Deaths | 1 |
Injured | 14 |
List of rail accidents in 2008 |