Train Incident in San Francisco Shocks Passengers
In startling footage, passengers can be seen panicking and tumbling to the floor when a San Francisco train driver dozed off, causing the vehicle to speed up to over 80 mph, nearly leading to a crash.
The driver, a woman working for MTA, appeared to slump into her chair just as the packed two-car train approached a sharp turn, accelerating uncontrollably before veering off track. Passengers reacted with fear, with one woman exclaiming, “I want to get off!” while another shouted, “Oh my God!”
As the train wobbled, many riders lost their balance and fell. After the jolt, the driver was jolted awake and hurriedly tried to regain control. She stood up and addressed her frightened passengers, instructing them to “relax” repeatedly.
“I’m sorry,” she pleaded, emphasizing, “We didn’t clash. Relax, relax, relax.”
Fortunately, only one female passenger required treatment for a concussion, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
The San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Authority (SFMTA) conducted an investigation and confirmed there were no issues with the train or the tracks when the incident occurred in the Sunset Tunnel near Duboce Park on September 4.
It was determined that the cause of the incident was operator fatigue.
SFMTA reported that the train “experienced a series of unexpected tremors while traveling around a curve at an excessive speed of 80 mph,” though they did not specify the train’s normal speed at that point.
Officials mentioned that several passengers were affected, leading to falls due to the sudden jolts.
The agency is following its protocols in response to this incident, including placing the operator on leave.
Transportation Director Julie Kirschbaum labeled the event “unacceptable.” She acknowledged the distress it caused to riders and emphasized that safety remains the agency’s utmost priority. “We are taking responsibility for this particular unacceptable incident and are committed to ensuring the Muni remains safe and dependable for everyone,” she stated.
