A Green Line train derailment on Tuesday, near a Cambridge MBTA station has left seven people with non-life-threatening injuries, and prompted a full-scale investigation involving national authorities. The incident occurred close to Lechmere Station, causing significant disruptions to the Green Line service in the area.
The unruly wheels of the lead trolley came off its tracks around 5 p.m., initiating the derailment at the intersection of the Medford/Tufts branch and the Union Square branch, according to a report by NBC10 Boston. Approximately 50 passengers were forced to evacuate onto the tracks, ultimately reaching an emergency exit within the track area.
As a result of the accident, the MBTA arranged shuttle buses to substitute service between North Station, Union Square and Medford/Tufts stations. Meanwhile, travelers were suggested to use Route 87 for alternative services. “The MBTA sincerely apologizes to riders for the frustration and distress this incident has caused,” the agency conveyed in a statement to NBC10 Boston.
MBTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan gave a press statement in front of Lechmere Station at 8:30 p.m., discounting track issues as a potential cause and directing the lens at "human factors" involving train operation. "I really cant say what went wrong," Coholan admitted, highlighting the focus on regulations adherence by train operators, stressing, "Right now our investigation is focusing on the human factors." This information was detailed in a press conference covered by MBTA’s official statement.
Green Line: Shuttle buses replace service between North Station and Medford/Tufts due to a derailment near Lechmere. Passengers can use Route 87 bus for alternate service.
— MBTA (@MBTA) October 1, 2024
While Coholan initially projected the resumption of regular service by Wednesday morning, new developments following the press conference revealed the National Transportation Safety Board's involvement in the investigation, suggesting an extended closure of the tracks. The ongoing inquiry into the root cause of the derailment has also involved the Department of Public Utilities and the Federal Transit Administration, as per the details obtained by NBC10 Boston.
