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Outside the Metro headquarters along 6th street, a black sash has draped the Metro logo for most of the
summer.
September 15, 2008 - Four. That's the number of metro employees killed while on duty since June, 2009.
The latest fatality, John Moore, a veteran communications technician employed with Metro since 1996.
The incident happened between the Braddock Road and Reagan National Airport. Moore was airlifted to a hospital
after the accident, but died four days later.
Jackie Jeter, President of ATU Local 689 issued the following statement on Tuesday.
"It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of John Moore who succumbed yesterday to the September 10 Metro
accident. John was a veteran communications technician employed with Metro since 1996 and a proud member of ATU Local
689, and one of the many workers who risk their lives daily to make Metro work. Our prayers and thoughts go out to John’s
family, friends, and coworkers. We offer our sincere condolences to his family and wish to respect their privacy and solitude
at this time."
Moore walked down to the metro's track bed where he opened a hatched door leading to the metro tracks and
was immediately hit by a blue line metro train. It is unclear at this time why he was on the tracks.
Metro's general manager, John Catoe spoke of the accident saying, "We've got to get back to basics of safety."
Metro is still under investigation for the red line metro accident that killed 9 people when two trains collided back in June of this year.
Earlier this summer, Jeter and other members of ATU Local 689, along with Catoe, testified on Capitol Hill before
congress where Jeter cited that Metro is in dire need of federal funding to upgrade its safety measures.
Perhaps upgrading safety features might help. Then again, perhaps John Catoe summed it up best when he said,
"In some cases, our procedures were not followed." Some things are out of our control."
In honor of Moore's tragic incident Jeter is asking that all able ATU Local 689 members donate blood on behalf of Moore.
Donations can be made at the Washington Hospital Center Blood Donor Center located in the main lobby of the hospital
at 110 Irving Street, NW, Washington D.C. 20010.
**Update** Teen Killed by Metro Train
Jackie
Jeter, President ATU Local 689, issued the following statement today (9/18/09). The Union represents 10,000 current
and retired Metro rail, bus, maintenance and clerical workers.
"ATU
Local 689 expresses sincerest sympathies to the loved ones of the teen who fatally succumbed after apparently jumping in front
of a train on the yellow line yesterday, September 17. We encourage the Authority to assess the level of transit police
presence at train stations to promote the safety of all who use the system.
Safety
and security are vital for the system to operate effectively. In reflecting on the loss of life, ATU Local 689 is mindful
of the recent Metro accident on September 10 that claimed the life of communications technician John Moore. That tragic
accident, like the colossal June 22 Red Line disaster, was beyond the control of the operators and the victims."
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