‘Human error’ likely cause of MBTA collision, derailment

BOSTON — “Human error” is being blamed for Tuesday’s collision of two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trains near Boston’s South Station, which resulted in the derailment of one train and cancellation of commuter trains on the MBTA’s Fairmount Line for part of Wednesday.

The accident occurred about 8 p.m. Tuesday, when a Fairmount Line train collided with an out-of-service train, derailing three cars on the Fairmount train. [See “Low-speed collision, derailment of MBTA trains leads to cancellation of morning service,” Trains News Wire, April 10, 2019.] There were no injuries. Service on the Fairmount Line was restored about 2 p.m. Wednesday.

“The initial findings from this investigation indicate human error was likely a factor in this Fairmount Line incident,” Tory Mazzola, spokesman for contract operator Keolis, said in a Wednesday statement reported by the Boston Herald. “In the process of establishing the facts, it appears that the out of service train did not adhere to a properly displayed red signal, which instructs the crew to stop and not proceed past a point.”

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo told the Herald that MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak met with top Keolis managers on Wednesday as a result of the derailment.

“The general manager stressed the seriousness of working closely with the Federal Railroad Administration to ensure thorough and comprehensive investigations into the recent incidents,” Pesaturo said. “He also directed MBTA staff to work with Keolis in developing a multi-step plan to address the root causes of the incidents and take whatever corrective actions are deemed necessary.”