Subway service resumes after Brooklyn derailment that left 66 injured

June 21, 2000
Web posted at: 5:14 p.m. EDT (2114 GMT)

NEW YORK -- Subway service in Brooklyn resumed early Wednesday, hours after a train derailed outside a busy borough station, injuring 66 people.

Rail workers labored through the night replacing about 70 feet of track and a third rail on the B line near the DeKalb Avenue station. Service was restored about 6 a.m., eight hours after the derailment.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the crash. The derailed cars will be dismantled to determine what caused the accident, said transit spokesman Al O'Leary.

VIDEO CNN's Frank Buckley reports on the New York subway derailment that left 66 injured. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K     AUDIO Mayor Giuliani commented on the derailment after arriving at the scene 849K/38 sec. AIFF or WAV sound New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani commends rescue workers for their quick response 210K/10 sec. AIFF or WAV sound

Fifty-three people were treated at hospitals and 10 people were admitted, authorities said. Three people suffered serious injuries, but everyone is expected to recover, said New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

"People got shook up pretty badly," Giuliani told reporters at the scene. "Heads were injured and they bounced back and forth."

The first car of the southbound B train derailed about 10 p.m. after it pulled away at slow speed from the station, near a Long Island University campus. Hundreds of people were aboard the train, which was headed for Manhattan.

The wheels of the third car skipped, causing the derailment, said Richard Sheirer, director of the city's Office of Emergency Management.

"We were just riding along and all of a sudden, the brake went on and we all fell to the floor," said Ursula Janses, 61, standing outside and clutching wet paper towels to her head.

Passengers were thrown to the floor when the train jerked off the tracks.

Marsha Charles, who was on her way home from work, said the conductor got on the loudspeaker, telling passengers he had been injured and instructing them to wait where they were for paramedics.

Those on the train remained calm, even though the lights went out and the car doors had opened, Charles said.

Some passengers reported hearing what they thought was an explosion right before the train went off the tracks.

"We don't know exactly what happened," Giuliani said. "The idea of an explosion is something we'll have to take a look at."

At least 100 fire crews and other emergency personnel rushed to the scene, aiding passengers and taking some to hospitals, officials said. Giuliani said quick response by police and firefighters prevented more serious injuries from occurring.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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