NTSB -- NTSB CHAIRMAN HERSMAN'S REMARKS MARKING ANNIVERSARY OF METRORAIL COLLISION 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: June 22, 2010

SB-10-21

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NTSB CHAIRMAN HERSMAN’S STATEMENT MARKING ANNIVERSARY

OF FATAL METRORAIL COLLISION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

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The National Transportation Safety Board is meeting today to

consider a final report on a motor coach accident in

Arizona. At the opening of the meeting, NTSB Chairman

Deborah A.P. Hersman delivered the following remarks:

"I would like to first take a moment to recognize that one

year ago today, on June 22, 2009, two WMATA trains collided

near the Fort Totten station outside Washington, DC, killing

nine and injuring over 50. Today there are several memorial

services planned and here at the Safety Board, we are ever

mindful of the loss of life that occurred that day and the

hardship endured by so many in the past 12 months.

"On behalf of my fellow Board members and our staff, I offer

our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the

victims of that tragic accident, as well as to the scores

injured, and to everyone affected by the tragedy.

"Over the past year, the Safety Board has been taking an

unprecedented look, from top-to-bottom, to determine exactly

why that fatal accident on the Red Line happened. In the

weeks and months that followed the accident, the Safety

Board issued two rounds of urgent safety recommendations,

and this past February, we held a 3-day public hearing. Next

month, on July 27, our investigation culminates, when the

Safety Board considers the accident's final investigation

report.

"I assure you that the Safety Board is committed to

producing a quality and comprehensive accident report so

that a rail accident like this one - whether in Washington

or on any other transit property in the country - is never

repeated."

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NTSB Media Contact: Bridget Serchak

(202) 314-6100

Bridget.Serchak@xxxxxxxx

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