Thursday, October 3, 2024 Seven people suffered minor injuries when a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line train derailed near Lechmere Station in Cambridge on Tuesday evening. The derailment, which occurred around 5 p.m.
local time, left about 50 passengers temporarily stranded, with emergency services rushing to the scene. The incident took place at the Red Bridge interlocking, where the Medford/Tufts and Union branches of the Green Line intersect. All passengers managed to safely evacuate by walking along the tracks to an emergency exit.
Fortunately, the seven individuals who sustained injuries were treated for minor conditions and taken to the hospital. Focus on Human Error in Investigation While the exact cause of the derailment remains under investigation, early reports from MBTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan suggest that the agency is focusing on potential “human factors” as the cause of the derailment. Coholan assured the public that no issues with the track structure had been detected.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also sending a team to assist in investigating the derailment, aiming to determine the exact circumstances that led to the train leaving the tracks. Service Disruptions and Shuttle Buses Due to the derailment, MBTA service between North Station and Medford/Tufts was temporarily suspended. Shuttle buses were deployed to accommodate passengers during this disruption, and commuters were advised to use al.