The first two cars of a Metro Red Line train derailed on Friday at 10:13 a.m. as it was leaving the Farragut North station. Three minor injuries were reported among 345 passengers. The station itself and roads around it were closed for about two hours while emergency workers addressed the accident. The National Transportation Safety Board has announced an investigation. Metro sources have said that the train was automatically derailed after it went onto the incorrect set of tracks and was headed into the path of oncoming trains.3:10 p.m.: The Red Line train derailed north of Farragut North station this morning after a safety device automatically engaged and stopped it because it had crossed from its own track and was headed to the opposite track, into the path of oncoming trains, according to Metro sources familiar with events.
Investigators are trying to understand why the train left the track headed for Shady Grove and crossed into a pocket track, where it was stopped by automatic derailers.
Both the train operator and the downtown controller responsible for that section of the Red Line were placed on administrative leave and will undergo drug and alcohol testing, as is standard Metro procedure.
The official did not know how long the operator had been working for Metro.
The train was moving very slowly when the operator attempted to return it to the main track and it derailed, a factor that minimized injuries. A "derailer popped the wheels of the track" because there was a red light ahead, the official said.
"It intentionally derailed the train for safety purposes to stop it from running a red light and prevented a collision," the official said.
-- Ann Scott Tyson
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