Metro Cut Power 35 Minutes After Train Hit Deadly Smoke

A preliminary report on the deadly Metro accident Monday shows that Metro didn’t cut power to the affected line until 35 minutes after the train hit heavy smoke.

The electrical malfunction began at 3:06 p.m., when an electrical breaker tripped, according to the preliminary report released Friday afternoon by the National Transportation Safety Board. The Yellow Line train stopped at 3:15 p.m. when it hit smoke. WMATA activated fans to clear the smoke at 3:16 p.m., the report says.

Despite the smoke, a second train followed the first train and was stopped by smoke about 3:25 p.m., just 100 feet from the station platform.

WMATA finally cut power at 3:50 p.m. City officials have previously said the emergency response was delayed because firefighters didn’t know if power to the electrified third rail had been cut.

The NTSB continues to review records and interview passengers and Metro staff.

The incident killed one woman and hospitalized more than 80 passengers.

Photos via NTSB