Two track workers died in Maryland on Tuesday after they work struck by a piece of heavy equipment while they working on a section of the Red Line. Service from Shady Grove and Rockville have been suspended while officials investigate the deaths.
The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority said two male technicians were hit by a diesel-powered truck called a prime mover at about 1:45 am. The employees were installing new train control equipment along an outbound portion of the track in the direction of Shady Grove.
One of the workers died on the scene while the other one was taken to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The identities of both employees have not been released while their families are notified.
Metro is providing free shuttle bus service to commuters who plan to travel between Shady Grove and Rockville. However, it has warned of delays along the Red Line because of the deaths.
"Customers are encouraged to avoid the Shady Grove and Rockville Metrorail stations, if possible, and to use the nearby Twinbrook and Grosvenor-Strathmore Metrorail stations to catch a train," it said in a statement.
The fatalities come seven months after the worst accident in Metrorail's 33-year history. Nine people died and 80 others were injured after two six-car Red Line trains crashed into each other in June last year.
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