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Metro Crash in Washington, DC: At Least 2 Dead, Dozens Injured

June 22, 2009

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Two Metro trains collided head-on near the Washington D.C., and Maryland border Monday (see map of Washington, DC Metro). June 22, FOX 5-WTTG reports.

At least two people were killed when a six-car train collided with another train near the Washington, D.C., and Maryland border, officials said Monday.

D.C. fire spokesman Alan Etter says other passengers have been severely injured in what he describes as a "mass casualty event." He says crews are cutting apart the trains to get people out. He said there were several injuries, but did not know how many.

Spokeswoman Taryn McNeil said the collision happened about 5 p.m. between the Fort Totten and Takoma Park stations on Metro's red line.

The collision happened during rush hour on the transit agency's busiest rail line.

Metro general manager John Catoe said at least 60 people had been taken off the trains.

"I don't know the reason for this accident," he said. "I would still say the system is safe, but we've had an incident."

A spokesperson told myfoxdc.com that power to both trains had been cut as a precaution and delays were expected to continue through the night.

A video of the scene showed that one train landed on top of the other after the collision, and a number of people were seen watching from an overpass, myfoxdc.com reported.

Officials said it was too early to determine what caused the crash.

Photo: myfoxdc.com; AP; Video: YouTube