Train cars derails in Brooklyn, injuring at least 60

June 21, 2000
Web posted at: 12:02 a.m. EDT (0402 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 injured, including one person who had a "cardiac", said New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. "A lot of people were able to walk" away from the accident, the mayor said.

About 100 fire crews and other emergency personnel were on the scene, aiding passengers and taking some to hospitals, officials said.

The cause of the accident was not immediately known, and police have launched an investigation. Some passengers reported an explosion, but authorities have not yet commented on those reports.

Police and fire officials said the accident happened around 10 p.m. when three cars from the B-train derailed.

"No other train is trapped. 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.

Fire and police departments responded rapidly, preventing more serious injury to the passengers.

He said it was a low-speed derailment. "The trains had to be just starting up."

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

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