Boston's subway commuters faced disruptions Thursday afternoon when service on the MBTA's Orange Line was brought to a halt after a person was found trapped under a train. The incident occurred at North Shore station and required first responders to perform a technical rescue. Brian Alkins, public information officer for the Boston Fire Department, shared with MassLive that the extraction was successful without the need to elevate the train.
The initial notice of delay was broadcast at 12:32 p.m., indicating a medical emergency expected to cause a 20-minute lag in service. As the situation evolved, commuters were advised to alternatively use the Green Line, based on a WCVB report. Around 15 minutes after the first alert, the transit authority announced a full suspension of Orange Line services between Wellington and Back Bay. To accommodate stranded passengers, shuttle buses were deployed to run between Wellington and Haymarket after the temporary halt.
The person who was trapped was safely rescued and taken to a hospital by Boston EMS. The severity of their injuries is not yet known. The Boston Fire Department’s quick response shows how well-prepared the city's first responders are for emergencies.
The ripple effect of the incident saw firefighters congregating outside the Massachusetts Avenue station by approximately 3 p.m., as service between North Station and Jackson Square was also impacted. Authorities put shuttle bus operations in place between Jackson Square and Copley to broadly bridge the suspended segments, urging patrons to pivot and use the Green Line between Copley and North Station as an alternate route, per the guidance detailed in the MassLive update.
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