June 15th, 2012 | 
Author: GAITHERSBURG, Md. – A Metro worker was seriously hurt after being hit by a train on Tuesday, May 29, in a rail yard near Shady Grove Station.
Emergency crews work to free railroad worker pinned beneath wheel assembly after Metro train accident in rail yard near Shady Grove station on May 29, 2012. Photo Credit: @mcfirepio
The accident occurred at about 1:00 p.m. inside what is known as the wash building at the rail yard just outside the Shady Grove station. According to emergency workers, the train was going into the building when it hit the employee pinning him beneath the wheel assembly.
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A Go Team was called in while rescuers tried to free the worker. The Go Team is a special group of doctors and nurses able to administer anesthesia and perform advanced medical procedures, such as amputations, if needed. In this case, rescuers were able to get the man out before the team arrived. It appeared though that the man had extensive injuries to one of his legs.
The victim was taken out on a stretcher and airlifted to Baltimore Shock Trauma. During the entire time, rescuers say the man was conscious.
“Our biggest concern other than extracting the patient is to keep calm and let them know we’re doing everything possible to get them out of there,” said Scott Graham, Assistant Chief for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which has federal oversight of transit agencies has been notified. The Tri-State Oversight Committee, which has regional oversight, has also sent investigators to look into the accident.
A press release stated, “Metro is conducting a safety stand-down at the Shady Grove Yard, where employees are offered counseling and safety practices are reviewed.”
Although the worker was not been identified at the time of the accident, Metro said he has been with the transit agency for more than 25 years. An official with Amalgated Transit Union Local 689 said the accident happened inside the train wash.
Metro had been criticized for its lack of safety culture following the 2009 Red Line train crash near Fort Totten that killed nine people. Since then, Metro has made improving safety a priority.
The incident remains under investigation at this time.
Source: MyFoxdc.com
Posted by Gordon & Elias, a FELA lawyer and railroad injury lawyer blog that publishes train accidents and FELA legal news from across the United States.
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