T Derails Near Wood Street Station Downtown

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Three people were hurt and the Wood Street Station had to be shut down Friday night when a Port Authority light rail car derailed in Downtown Pittsburgh.

The incident happened around 9 p.m. Friday in the underground tunnel between the Gateway Station and the Wood Street Station.

According to Port Authority officials, nine people were on the car when it derailed. It was traveling from Gateway toward Wood Street.

The Port Authority says it will have shuttle buses running between Steel Plaza Station and the Allegheny Station. There is no word yet on when full service will be restored.

Port Authority officials say riders should anticipate the same disruption Saturday and likely Sunday. They say to allow extra travel time if using the light rail system.

There were flashing emergency responder lights all around the station just after the incident and emergency crews rushed inside. One person was brought out on a stretcher.

"There was a train coming 'cause the operators I guess are doing maintenance, so it was a single track, and the train coming, I guess it didn't switch back in time, so our car actually veered off to the right and jumped the track and almost hit the wall," said Calea Rose, who was onboard the derailed train. "We did not get hit by the other train, but it was close."

"There were two trains and they were both on the same track, and they were coming towards each other and one tried to switch and I guess it came off the track," added Charles Heck, who was onboard other train.

"It was actually kind of scary 'cause we were just sitting there and the next thing you know it was like, we just felt it get bumpy, and then the lights started flashing and then the next thing you know we were off the track," said Rose.

She says she saw sparks, but there was no fire.

"No explosions, no fires," said one emergency official at the scene.

Officials with the Port Authority said there were three reported injuries. One of the injured was taken to a local hospital for neck and back injuries.

"There were three individuals that received some injuries," said Cmdr. Eric Holmes, of Pittsburgh Police. "One was transported to a local hospital."

The Port Authority says it is still assessing the damage and investigating the cause of the incident.

RELATED LINKS:
More Port Authority News
More Local News