Shuttles replace Green Line extension as derailment investigation continues – Boston News, Weather, Sports

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. (WHDH) – Shuttles once again replace trains on the Green Line extension as derailment investigation continues

Federal investigators visited the scene of the Green Line derailment Wednesday, walking the site as commuters dealt with the derailment’s ripple effects.

Several Green Line cars left the track near Lechmere station Tuesday afternoon. Fifty people were on board the train at the time. MBTA officials said seven people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

A motorcyclist described the moment of impact and expressed frustration with how MBTA handled the incident.

“People started screaming,” said train passenger Zhara Saifee. “It was extremely bumpy. It was like bumps up and down. I was holding on for dear life.

Saifee said passengers were thrown from their seats when the train left the track.

With smoke filling the train, Saifee said she and another person held the train doors open to help passengers escape.

“It was very clear that people had smoke inhalation,” Saifee said. “There was smoke in people’s faces.”

Less than two years after the full Green Line extension first served Medford, Gov. Maura Healey addressed Tuesday’s derailment and said the track did not appear to be to blame.

“When we came in as an administration, we had to redo the Green Line extension because it wasn’t done correctly the first time,” she said. “We did that again and that rail is good.”

As investigators examined the aftermath of the derailment, Healey acknowledged the shock of what the passengers experienced.

“I can imagine the horror of this incident and I am very sorry that people were hurt,” she said.

The MBTA previously apologized to commuters, saying: “We are committed to thoroughly investigating this matter to ensure this does not happen again.” »