Crowded Philly Train Already Smoking When it Left Overbrook Station
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November 4, 2009
The crowded Philadelphia SEPTA R5 Paoli commuter train billowed smoke and burst into flames around 7 a.m. Wednesday morning soon after leaving Overbrook Station in western Philly.
Passengers report they smelled something burning and saw smoke while the regional rail train stopped at the Overbrook Station. After loading and unloading passengers, the conductor of the four-car train pulled out of the station carrying 500 to 700 passengers on route toward the Amtrak station in Center City. Shortly after leaving the station, passengers of the first car moved to the back of the train to avoid the smoke. When the train finally came to a stop, passengers disembarked to see the first car engulfed in flames and pouring out smoke. The Fire Department responded and had the fire under control 40 minutes later.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) spokesperson Jerri Williams said the fire was electrical in nature, starting either in a heater or traction motor and was in no way related to the current union strike.
More than 5,000 members of SEPTA's largest union went on strike early Tuesday. Transport Workers Union Local 234 walked out of negotiations with SEPTA over wage, pension and health care disputes. The SEPTA R5 Paoli commuter train was still in operation because a different union represents workers of the regional rail service.
Passengers reported no injuries, but were scrambling once again to find transportation in a transit system already crippled by the strike.
If you or a family member has been hurt while using or suffered injury by a mass transit bus or train, call Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP today at 888-529-4669. There is a possibility of collecting compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and present and future disability. Only an experienced attorney can help you determine if your claim has merit and, if so, how much you could recover. Do not discuss your case without having an experienced legal representative to advise