METRO Bus Slams Into Light-Rail Train
02/08/2010 --
A METRO bus hit a light-rail train in downtown Houston Monday afternoon, causing the train to derail, KPRC Local 2 reported.
Officials said the accident occurred on Main Street at St. Joseph Parkway shortly after 3:30 p.m.
Nine people were injured and taken to Ben Taub Hospital, Memorial Hermann Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital. All of the injuries are described as non-life-threatening.
Sky 2 flying over the scene showed the front windshield of the light-rail train shattered and the front of the train knocked off the tracks. The METRO bus was also stopped across the tracks.
Officials said the bus driver ran a red light and hit the train.
"I think it was a red light because the train had the right-of-way and the train kept going. But when the bus came, it smashed the side of the bus and everybody flew back and started screaming," train passenger Bill Davis said.
METRORail service was suspended until the scene was cleared.
METRO officials said a bus bridge is in place for patrons traveling between the downtown transit center and the UH-Downtown station.
An investigation is under way.
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