Investigators seek cause of D.C. train crash

WASHINGTON – Federal investigators planned to test the automated controls for Metro trains for the first time Wednesday, looking to see why the computerized system designed to prevent such disasters failed.

At the time of the crash, the train was controlled primarily by computer, but there is evidence that the operator tried to slow it down.

“What we’re trying to understand is how the automatic train control system works and if there were any faults,” said Debbie Hersman of the National Transportation Safety Board told CBS’ “Early Show.”

The crash Monday occurred just after a train operator, who had been on the job about three months, started her shift. About eight miles down the red line track, another train was stopped. In the blink of an eye, the trailing train slammed into a stopped one and jackknifed violently into the air, falling atop the first. Nine people were killed, including the train operator, and more than 70 were injured.

Investigators are trying to find out why the train didn’t stop, even though officials say the emergency brake control was pushed down and there was evidence that the operator tried to slow her car before impact.