MBTA: Report confirms operator at fault for runaway train


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BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority says a final report on a runaway train confirms the train's operator tied a cord around the throttle and forgot to set the emergency brake.

The report released Tuesday by the MBTA and the Public Utilities Department confirms what officials had suggested caused the Dec. 10 incident.

The driverless train carrying about 50 passengers left the Braintree station and rumbled through several stops.

Transit workers stopped it by cutting power to the rails. No passengers were injured.

The report says operator David Vazquez forgot to remove the cord and set the hand brake when he exited the train to access the emergency bypass switch.

The report says Vazquez previously violated MBTA rules 13 times, including five safety violations.

The MBTA fired Vazquez after the incident.

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