PARIS - Speed blamed in Paris Metro crash

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Global: Speed blamed in Paris Metro crash

The Associated Press

PARIS (August 31, 2000 11:22 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - Excessive speed might have caused a Paris Metro subway car to tip over on its side, injuring 24 passengers, Transport Ministry officials said Thursday.

A subway car carrying about 40 people flipped over on Wednesday and came to a screeching halt within three feet of another train parked on the opposite track of the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette station, at the foot of the historic Montmartre hill.

Officials said it was the first time a subway car had flopped onto its side in the history of the century-old Paris Metro.

Twenty-four people suffered minor injuries including cuts and bruises, and others were badly shaken.

"Speed might be the cause of the accident which took place yesterday on Line 12 of the Paris Metro," the ministry said in a statement. "The first reports indicate no deficiency in either the tracks or the (subway's) braking system."

Officials said subway traffic on the disrupted line would resume normal operations starting Friday morning.

Firefighters have said that the ill-fated train pulled into the station traveling at about 22 miles an hour. The speed limit for approaching a station is 19 miles an hour.

Investigators said the driver, who was experienced, had started his shift some 90 minutes before the accident took place. He is to be questioned by authorities.

http://www.nandotimes.com/no_frames/global/story/0,4382,500245537-500363891-502145634-0,00.html

-- Doris (reaper1@mindspring.com), August 31, 2000


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