NTSB -- NTSB ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HEARING ON INVESTIGATION INTO JUNE 2009 FATAL COLLISION OF TWO METRORAIL TRAINS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

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NTSB PRESS RELEASE

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National Transportation Safety Board

Washington, DC 20594

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2009

SB-09-61

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NTSB ANNOUNCES PUBLIC HEARING ON INVESTIGATION INTO JUNE

2009 FATAL COLLISION OF TWO METRORAIL TRAINS IN WASHINGTON,

D.C.

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The National Transportation Safety Board today announced

that it will hold a public hearing on February 23-24, 2010,

as part of its ongoing investigation into the collision of

two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

Metrorail Red Line trains on June 22, 2009 that occurred

between the Fort Totten and Takoma Park stations in

Washington, D.C. As a result of this accident, there were

nine fatalities and numerous injuries.

The two-day hearing will convene on Tuesday, February 23,

2010, at the NTSB's Board Room and Conference Center, 429

L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C.

The purpose of the hearing will be to gather additional

factual information for the investigation. It will be

chaired by Member Robert L. Sumwalt who, along with Safety

Board investigators, will hear from those the Board calls to

testify regarding a number of issues, including the adequacy

of WMATA's actions to address safety issues, the adequacy of

state safety oversight of rail transit systems, including

the Tri-State Oversight Committee, and the adequacy of

federal safety oversight of rail transit systems.

"Millions of people travel by transit in this country every

day and expect the highest level of safety while traveling

on those systems," said Member Robert Sumwalt. "This hearing

will contribute important information both to the WMATA

investigation and to the public's knowledge about transit

safety oversight in systems across the nation."

An agenda, a list of witnesses, and webcast details will be

posted on the Board's website, http://ww.ntsb.gov, when

available.

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NTSB Media Contact: Bridget Serchak

202-314-6100

Bridget.serchak@xxxxxxxx

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