48 People Injured in SF Train Crash

According to different sources, including CNN and Los Angeles Times, 48 people have been injured after two light train rail cars collided is San Francisco on Saturday, July 18^th. The accident occurred on San Francisco's west side more specifically on West Portal Station. Sources are saying that around 2:30 pm (Pacific time) an L-line (L-Taraval) train crashed on the rear of a K-line (K-Ingelside) train on West Portal. Both light rail trains, operated by the San Francisco Municipal Railway (Muni) system, were near full capacity with passengers that suffered different types of injuries. The causes of the crash are still unknown and a probe has been launched to clarify what happened.

This is not the first time that this type of accidents occurs in the Unites States. In fact, lately, it seem that such accidents, involving public transportation, are becoming more frequent. Let's not forget recent public transportation accidents in Washington, D.C. and Boston. This increase in public transportation accidents raises questions about the safety of such popular means of transportation. Are they too old? Are they well maintained? Are people who drive those buses and trains well trained to their jobs? Are they working overtime? This and hundred of questions are in the minds of people across the US.

Fears of a train bombing were generalized among passengers. However, early investigations have discarded such possibility. A train crash has been confirmed according to the sources. Images on TV about the San Francisco train crash were dantesque. Dozens of people with bandaged heads could be seen on the train platforms. Hundreds of rescue workers were rushed into the SF crash and could be seen working hard to solve passengers complaints and injuries. Fortunately it seem that there were no major injuries as there were no unconscious people as a result of the SF train crash

In an early statement, authorities are blaming the accident of "possible mechanical and human errors". Well that is a pretty general statement if you ask me but of course this a cautionary and preliminary statement made up by authorities that still do not know what happened in the SF train crash. We will need to wait more time to know details about the causes of this train crash. The center.com blog is saying the L-train may have been going faster that it should so this may be the cause of the train crash.