Emergency service workers respond to the derailment of an F train under Broadway and 60th Street in Woodside. Photo courtesy Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin.
A Manhattan-bound F train derailed shortly after 10:15 a.m. Friday morning, injuring 19 individuals and forcing the evacuation of about 1,000 riders, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
The accident occurred about 1,200 feet west of the 65th Street station, and the cause is currently under investigation.
With the help of the NYPD and the FDNY, frightened passengers were evacuated from the train to the street via an emergency exit at 60th Street. A second express train in the area was moved back to the Queens Plaza station, where about 100 riders were discharged with no injuries reported.
The evacuations were completed in about two hours.
“The focus originally was on caring for the injured and the safe evacuation of our customers,” MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast said Friday. “The fire and police departments did an excellent job in this effort. The focus is now on a full and thorough investigation of this incident.”
Following the evening’s rush hour, Prendergast said the agency will focus on re-railing the cars, inspecting and repairing damage, and restoring service when everything has been determined to be safe.
Photo courtesy Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Patrick Cashin
Photo courtesy Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Patrick Cashin
Photo courtesy Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit
