2008 Massachusetts train collision

2008 train collision in Newton, Massachusetts February 2025 September 2017 2008 Massachusetts train collision 2008 Green Line wreck.png Wreckage of Green Line car #3667 after the accident 2008 05 28 y 5:51 pm Newton, Massachusetts, U.S. Green Line D branch Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Rear-end collision Micro-sleep episode caused by sleep apneahttps://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/RAR0902.pdf Collision Between Two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line Trains, Newton, Massachusetts, May 28, 2008 National Transportation Safety Board NTSB/RAR-09/02 July 14, 2009 September 16, 2017 2 1 14 List of rail accidents in 2008 On May 28, 2008, shortly before 6p.m., two westbound MBTA trains collided on the Green Line D branch between Woodland and Waban stations, behind 56 Dorset Road in Newton, Massachusetts.Bierman Noah Ranalli Ralph Vaznis James May 29, 2008 Trolley operator dies after collision in Newton http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/05/mbta_train_cras.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed5 May 29, 2008 The Boston Globe https://web.archive.org/web/20121020000458/http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/05/mbta_train_cras.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed5 20 October 2012 While investigators examined reports of possible use of a cell phone by one of the train operators,https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-berkshire-eagle-cell-phone-suspected/182094658/ Cell phone suspected in trolley crash The Berkshire Eagle Pittsfield, Massachusetts B8 June 4, 2008 September 30, 2025 newspapers.com the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that the operator of the rear train, Terrese Edmonds, had not been using her cell phone at the time of the crash, but rather went into an episode of micro-sleep, causing her to lose awareness of her surroundings and miss potential hazards up ahead. The collision killed Edmonds, and numerous others were injured. Fourteen passengers were taken to area hospitals; one was airlifted.Szaniszlo Marie Ross Casey May 28, 2008 Several hurt as 2 T trains collide in Newton http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view/2008_05_28_Green_Line_train_collision_in_Newton/srvc=home&position=0 May 29, 2008 Boston Herald Background Green Line (MBTA) The Green Line is a light rail system run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in the Boston, Massachusetts, metropolitan area. It is the oldest subway line in the United States. The Green Line splits into multiple branches; the D branch is a grade-separated, dual track line operating from a terminal station at Riverside to Kenmore station, where the D branch merges with the other Green Line branches and operates on shared tracks into downtown Boston. The D branch uses block signaling between Waban and Woodland stations; operating rules require that Green Line trains encountering a single red signal to hold for one minute, then proceed at no more than 10 mph kph past the red signal while being prepared to stop short of any train or other obstruction.3 Accident The 2008 Massachusetts train collision occurred on the westbound track between Waban and Woodland stations. Trains 3667 and 3681 were both Green Line trains operating in the westbound direction on the D branch at the time of the accident."train numbering footnote" Each train consisted of two coupled Kinki Sharyo type 7 light rail cars.14 The NTSB's final report refers to each train by the number of its lead car (3667 and 3681 respectively), and the same convention is used for this article.2 At approximately 5:50PM, Train 3681 departed Waban station, and passed signal H-64. Signal H-64 changed to display a single red aspect, to indicate that Train 3681 was directly ahead of it.4 Train 3681 then encountered a single red signal at H-66, and came to a stop. Per operating rules, Train 3681 held at signal H-66 for one minute, then began to operate past H-66 at a restricted speed, reaching a speed of 3.4 mph kph at the time of the accident.4 Train 3667 departed Waban station westbound behind Train 3681. Although the red signal at H-64 required Train 3667 to stop and hold for one minute, an MBTA employee on the rear of Train 3667 told the NTSB that the train never slowed down after departing Waban, and instead accelerated to the maximum authorized speed of 40 mph kph.4 Traveling at a speed of 38 mph kph, Train 3667 crashed into the rear of Train 3681.4 The front of the lead car of Train 3667 suffered extensive damage, crushing the operating cab.4 The operator of Train 3667, Terrese Edmonds, suffered blunt force trauma during the collision and was killed; eight passengers were injured.6 Investigation Initially, operator error was blamed for the crash.http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/46051/Driver-trapped-in-US-train-crash Driver Trapped in US Train Crash Daily Express May 29, 2008 September 16, 2017 As the investigation began, the crash was suspected to be caused by distraction of Edmonds, who allegedly was using a cell phone while operating the train.http://archive.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/30/officials_swarm_t_crash_scene/ Officials swarm T crash scene The Boston Globe May 30, 2008 September 16, 2017 However, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) ruled out distraction after it obtained Edmonds' cell phone records and determined that her cell phone was not in use at the time of the crash.9 Investigators also found that the brakes had not been applied, and the tracks were not faulty.http://archive.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/31/brakes_not_utilized_in_train_crash_ntsb_says/ Brakes not utilized in train crash, NTSB says The Boston Globe May 31, 2008 September 16, 2017 live https://web.archive.org/web/20121024001506/http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/05/31/brakes_not_utilized_in_train_crash_ntsb_says/ 24 October 2012 The NTSB determined that an episode of micro-sleep caused by sleep apnea was likely the reason for the operator losing awareness of her environment.25 Aftermath In 2009, the NTSB released its final report on the crash. The NTSB noted, "The following were neither causal nor contributory to the accident: weather conditions, equipment performance, track condition, crewmember use of alcohol or illegal drugs, crewmember use of cell phones, crew training and qualifications, or the performance of the crew of the struck train." About a year later, a different crash on the Green Line was blamed on an operator texting while driving.http://archive.boston.com/yourtown/news/newton/2009/07/feds_greenline_trolley_driver.html Final analysis of '08 Green Line crash due Tuesday Boston.com July 13, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20170916095650/http://archive.boston.com/yourtown/news/newton/2009/07/feds_greenline_trolley_driver.html September 16, 2017 Wayback Machine The NTSB is also investigating a second Green Line rear-end crash near Government Center that occurred May 8 of this year. In that crash, an operator told authorities he was writing a text message to his girlfriend in the moments before impact. See also Trains List of American railroad accidents List of rail accidents (2000–2009) Other similar accidents 2016 Hoboken train crash, where the engineer also has been diagnosed with sleep apnea afterwards 2016 Croydon tram derailment, another light rail crash caused by sleep apnea in the driver Bourne End rail crash, similar accident in postwar Britain where a sleep-challenged engineer may have momentarily lost attention and taken the train into a curve too fast December 2013 Spuyten Duyvil derailment, sleep apnea diagnosed in engineer afterwards blamed for his inattention at time of accident June 2009 Washington Metro train collision, similar accident in Washington, D.C. in which a stationary train was rear-ended by a train moving at just under full speed and the first car of the moving train telescoped over the last car of the stationary train. Notes References External links Two MBTA Green Line trains collide in Newton, Massachusetts 911 calls at time of crash 42.3288 -71.2353 region:US-MA_type:event title Massachusetts train collision Train collision Category:Railway accidents and incidents in Massachusetts Category:Accidents and incidents involving Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Category:Newton, Massachusetts Category:History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts Massachusetts train collision Category:Green Line (MBTA)