Metro Red Line Train Cars Decouple with Passengers on Board

WASHINGTON, DC -- Authorities are investigating an alarming incident on the Metro Red Line Monday morning where train cars decoupled with passengers on board.

A 7000 series Red Line train indicated that a coupler had disengaged between the second and third train cars at the Twinbrook station shortly before 9 a.m., according to Metro spokeswoman Sherri Ly.

"The train’s safety system worked as intended and brought the traincars to a stop," Ly said. "Less than 40 customers were on board. All were offloaded to the platform, with the exception of two customers on the lead cars that were escorted approximately 250-300 feet onto the trackbed and to the platform without incident."

Metro authorities sent the train cars to the yard under their own power. Metro is still investigating what happened.

The 7000 series is Metro's newest series of rail cars.

Image via WMATA