Train derails in Brooklyn, injuring at least 60

A medical team treats one of dozens of passengers injured when a subway train derailed in Brooklyn late Tuesday

June 21, 2000
Web posted at: 12:50 a.m. EDT (0450 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A subway train bound for Manhattan derailed shortly after leaving a station in Brooklyn late Tuesday, sending three cars off the tracks and injuring at least 60 passengers.

While most of the injuries were minor, three people were critically hurt, including one who had a cardiac problem, said New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. "A lot of people were able to walk" away from the accident, the mayor said.

Hundreds of people were aboard when the subway derailed at low speed at 9:57 p.m., Giuliani said.

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Mayor Giuliani commented on the derailment after arriving at the scene 849K/38 sec. AIFF or WAV sound

At least 100 fire crews and other emergency personnel rushed to the scene, aiding passengers and taking some to hospitals, officials said.

"We believe that everybody is out and that nobody is trapped in a train," Giuliani told reporters. "The response was very quick. It was three minutes.

"No other train is trapped," the mayor said.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known, and police have launched an investigation.

Some passengers reported an explosion before the derailment.

Emergency crews arrived rapidly at the subway station in Brooklyn

"We don't know exactly what happened. The idea of an explosion is something we'll have to take a look at," Giuliani said.

Police and fire officials said three cars from the B-train derailed.

"B-train service will be out four or five hours," Giuliani said. The trains were expected to be back in service by morning rush-hour, he said.

Giuliani said the rapid response of fire and police departments prevented more serious injury happening to the passengers.

Early Wednesday, authorities remained on the scene as the investigation, repair and clean-up continued.

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