In a startling incident on Thursday, two subway trains collided at the 96th Street subway station in Manhattan, resulting in train derailments and significant traffic delays on the Upper West Side. According to reports from New York police and transportation leaders, the incident occurred at 3 p.m., involving two Northbound 1-line trains. One of the trains had passengers on board, while the other, designated as out of service, had four crew members present. Fortunately, despite the severity of the collision, at least 24 people suffered only minor injuries, with no reported serious injuries.
The president of New York City Transit, Richard Davey, provided initial details about the incident, stating that both trains derailed at a slow speed just north of the station. The collision raised concerns about the safety of passengers and crew members, prompting emergency authorities to evacuate the passenger train, which was carrying hundreds of people. Michael Meyers, the assistant chief of the New York City Fire Department, emphasized the perilous nature of the situation, highlighting the danger of operating on live tracks during the evacuation process. Emergency responders quickly requested a power shutdown to ensure the safety of both rescuers and passengers during the evacuation.
The aftermath of the collision severely disrupted subway services, impacting the 1, 2, and 3 train lines. Additionally, delays were experienced on the 4 and 5 train lines, with the disruptions expected to persist for the remainder of the day on Thursday, according to MTA authorities. The incident’s ripple effect on subway operations created chaos for commuters and underscored the challenges in restoring normal service promptly.
An ongoing investigation is seeking to unravel the circumstances that led to the collision. Davey revealed that the out-of-service train had been vandalized, and emergency cords were pulled earlier by an unknown individual. While most of the cords were successfully reset, one remained unresolved, causing the stranded train to remain in the station. Davey emphasized that the equipment was functioning as intended, and the investigation would explore potential human errors contributing to the incident.
Addressing concerns about when normal service would resume, Davey expressed hope that service could be restored by Friday’s rush hour. However, he acknowledged the complexity of the situation, describing it as “a little bit messy down there” and recognizing the time required for crews to rectify the issues and reinstate subway services. The uncertainty surrounding the timeline for service restoration added to the frustration of commuters already grappling with the day’s disruptions.
Emergency personnel from both the New York City Fire Department and the New York Police Department were actively involved in the response efforts. Mayor Eric Adams took to social media, urging people to avoid the 96th and Broadway area to facilitate emergency operations. The collaborative efforts of various agencies aimed to ensure the safety of those affected by the incident and expedite the restoration of normalcy to the subway system.
As the city grapples with the aftermath of this subway collision, questions remain about the overall safety of the transit infrastructure and the need for preventive measures to avert similar incidents in the future. The investigation will likely shed light on the root causes of the collision, providing valuable insights to enhance the resilience and safety of the subway network in New York City.