Three people sustained minor injuries after a north-bound collision on Sunday morning, with a train being thrown over the track and hit on an alleged struck budget, officials said.
One passenger was moved to the hospital and two others were assessed and denied transportation, the fire department said. About 135 people were aboard the train.
Sarah E., interim president of New York City Transit. FeinbergThe train “came in contact with the debris of the road” around 8:15 a.m. as it was being pulled toward the 14th Street station, causing one-wheeled track to be abandoned, he said.
It caused power outages on all four tracks and left a northbound train in a tunnel near 34th Street. About 125 people aboard the train were safely evacuated after officers brought in another train and placed an emergency bridge to allow passengers to walk.
Police spokesman Adam Navarro said authorities suspect someone threw something on the train tracks, which caused the accident, police department spokesman Adam Navarro said. Authorities said police arrested a 90-year-old man believed to be homeless and mentally ill.
At a press conference on Sunday afternoon, transportation officials said they had determined the accident was not related to faulty equipment or improper action by crew members.
Subway executive senior vice president Frank Jezeki declined to comment on the specifics of what could derail the train, but said it would be significant.
Mr Jezeki said extensive damage had been done to the subway car, the track and four structural steel columns. The four front wheels of the train have derailed.
“We are aiming for a normal rush hour for tomorrow morning,” Mr. Jezeki said. “It simply came to our notice then. However, we have a significant amount of work ahead, which can only begin after the police investigation is complete. “
On Sunday afternoon the local service was expected to be restored and the 14th Street station bypassed – where the accident occurred – in both directions.
Ashley Southall contributed to the reporting.
