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SALT LAKE CITY — At least three people were hospitalized after a TRAX Green Line train derailed Sunday afternoon.
The derailment took place in the area of 2185 South and 210 West shortly after 3:30 p.m. The train was southbound on the West Valley line after leaving Central Point Station when the train car derailed on a curve, according to South South Lake Police executive officer Gary Keller.
- Bus bridges in place: Northbound between the River Trail Station and Central Point Station on the Green Line.
- Southbound from Ballpark (1300 South) to Murray North.
- Red and Blue lines may be more crowded because fewer cars are available.
- UTA hopes to have the derailed train out of the way by 3 p.m. Monday.
- A data recorder on the train should aid in the investigation.
“It was like we were doing 50 (miles per hour) before we knew it,” said passenger Michael Jereb. “The train went on the curve to turn and the whole train just went off the tracks and everyone was getting thrown around.”
People on board said the train was making the curve leading into Central Pointe Station at a faster than normal pace. The passengers said they were screaming at the driver to stop. Police said they think speed might be a factor, though they don't know whether it was operator error or mechanical failure.
Police say there were 14 passengers aboard the train, and paramedics evaluated 11 people.
There were conflicting reports about the numbers of people injured. Shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday, Utah Transit Authority officials release a statement that said three people were transported to a hospital with minor injuries. Earlier in the evening, South Salt Lake Police reported that four people were hospitalized, two in serious condition.
A bus bridge activated between Central Point and River Trail stations was put into service for the duration of the Sunday schedule. Crews were working to have the Green Line back in service by Monday morning but were preparing alternatives in case the line could not reopen, UTA officials said.
Police and UTA said the cause of the derailment is under investigation.
Contributing: Ashton Goodell, Marjorie Cortez
