Buses extend hours after train collision

Updated: Train operator among four killed in train crash
Metro now says at least four people have been killed in a train collision on the red line, in the worst crash in the system’s 33-year history.

Among the dead is a woman who was operating one of the trains, according to the Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Preliminary reports said the two trains were on the same track headed to the Shady Grove Metro station, and the woman who was killed was driving the trailing train, according to Metro.

Family members wanting to know if their loved ones might have been onboard the trains should call 202-727-9099.

Metro’s second deadliest crash happened on January 13, 1982, when three people were killed after a train derailed between the Smithsonian and Federal Triangle stations.

That crash added to an already stressful day in the nation’s capital as a large jet crashed into the 14th Street Bridge on the same day.

On the Web: Metro OmniRide Virginia Railway Express

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OmniRide will run more buses, more often tonight following a deadly Metro train collision on the red line.

The commuter bus service offers its Prince William, Manassas and Linton Hall Metro Direct service at the Franconia – Springfield and West Falls Church Metro stations.

Riders can take the “Direct” buses from portions of Prince William County and Manassas, and connect with the Metro rail system.

Because of the collision, many of those riders have been delayed and have not been able to meet their bus.

“We have a lot of riders needing to get to those stations but have been delayed, so we decided to operate the buses more frequently and a bit later in anticipation of large crowds that may still need to get home,” said Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission spokeswoman Christine Rodrigo.

In addition to running more buses the agency has added an additional trip to the Manassas Metro Direct, leaving the West Falls Church station at 10:15 p.m.

The last Manassas Metro Direct bus normally leaves that station at an hour earlier.

A six-car Metro train headed toward Shady Grove collided with another train about 5 p.m. today, killing at least two people, according to NBCWashington.com.

The Web site said a Washington fire and rescue spokesman is calling the incident a “mass casualty event” after more than 100 people have been reported injured.

Read more about this developing story tomorrow in News & Messenger.