(Updated at 11 p.m.) Arlington firefighters guided passengers to safety after a Metro train derailed near Rosslyn tonight.
A train became disabled in a tunnel between the Rosslyn and Arlington Cemetery stations around 5 p.m. after at least one of the cars derailed. Some 400 passengers were estimated to be on the train, which went dark after third rail power was cut ahead of the rescue operation, while a light haze of smoke or dust was reported in the tunnel.
At least three passengers received some degree of medical attention, including one apparently suffering a panic attack, according to initial reports. There are no reports of anyone with significant injuries, but one person was transported via ambulance to a local hospital in stable condition, according to the Arlington County Fire Department.
#Final – 1 patient transported from the scene to an area hospital in stable condition. Units are in the process of clearing the scene.
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) October 13, 2021
Early in the response, rescuers worked to access the train and its passengers via a hatch near the Iwo Jima memorial, closing a ramp along Route 50. Passengers were later evacuated from the train and walked down the track in groups to the Arlington Cemetery station.
The first of the evacuated passengers could be seen leaving the station on a live TV broadcast shortly before 7 p.m. As of 8 p.m., all passengers had been evacuated.
The Arlington Cemetery station is closed and Metro service on the Blue Line is likely to be interrupted for a significant amount of time as a result of the incident. Service changes will remain in effect on Wednesday.
A large emergency response filled Memorial Drive, outside the cemetery, alongside news crews and shuttle buses that ferried passengers back to another station to complete their journey.
The National Transportation Safety Board says it will investigate the derailment.
Stranded passengers posted photos and video on social media before and after being led down the tracks.
Just sitting in the dark on the blue line #wmata pic.twitter.com/QGy4nlms8m
— Mary Kate (@justplainmk) October 12, 2021
#wmata pic.twitter.com/VgMs81nXo4
— Mary Kate (@justplainmk) October 12, 2021
#wmata pic.twitter.com/t3MZhupKZm
— Mary Kate (@justplainmk) October 12, 2021
Off train but still in tunnel pic.twitter.com/H1acmRcxw2
— idotter88 (@idotter88) October 12, 2021
More via Twitter:
Blue Line Delay: Expect delays in both directions due a train derailment outside Arlington Cemetery. Shuttle buses requested.
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) October 12, 2021
Blue/Yellow Line Alert: Due to a derailment outside Arlington Cemetery, use Blue Line at L'Enfant Plaza to continue trip.
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) October 12, 2021
ART riders bound for BL/YL Lines southbound can take ART 43 from Court House/Rosslyn to Crystal City. Buses every 10 min until 7pm, every 20 min until 10:40pm.
— ART Alert (@ART_Alert) October 12, 2021
6:05P #WMATA Emergency Response Team has requested to inspect & remove a train component (reported as part of a train wheel set) in the area of the switch on the outbound track @ Rosslyn. Unsure if @MetrorailSafety is being consulted.
— Rail Transit OPS (@RailTransitOPS) October 12, 2021
Blue Line service suspended between Pentagon, Foggy Bottom due to Metro train derailment https://t.co/UiuL9Veeo4 pic.twitter.com/gYb6QR8mBg
— Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) October 12, 2021
LOCATION: N Meade St/Arlington Blvd
INCIDENT: Fire Department Activity
IMPACT: The ramp from N Meade St. to eastbound Arlington Blvd. has been reopened. pic.twitter.com/C5KBUZqT0m— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) October 13, 2021