(Toronto) The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) said some passengers on a train in Scarborough “require medical attention” after a derailment occurred Monday night.
The CTT posted on Twitter that the rear car of a train on Line 3, Scarborough’s rapid transit system, separated from the rest of the train and derailed.
The company said around 44 people on board had been evacuated and “some required medical attention”, although it said the extent of their injuries was not known.
Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop told reporters at the scene of the derailment at Ellesmere station that five people had been taken to hospital for assessment, describing their injuries as minor.
“Basically, the train derailed and [les passagers] were thrown inside when this happened. Our teams were able to get them out and then put them back in the care of paramedics,” said Jessop.
Another 20 to 30 passengers from the rest of the train were able to get out of the car themselves and walk on the tracks, he added.
TTC President and CEO Rick Leary said in a statement that the train was heading south at the time and the trailing car had become uncoupled from the lead cars for an as yet unknown reason.
“I want to apologize to everyone affected by this incident and assure our customers that safety is always paramount to everything we do,” he said.
“I have spoken to my management team and ordered an immediate review of this incident using outside assistance and expertise if necessary,” he added.
According to the CTT website, Line 3 is a 6.4-kilometer mid-capacity rapid transit line with six stations that opened in 1985 and whose trains are 10 years past their design life.
The trains are said to be “sensitive to cold and have already been overhauled to ensure reliable and safe service”.
The website says the line is scheduled to be decommissioned in November and will be replaced by buses until the Province of Ontario’s Scarborough Subway Extension opens in 2030.
Mr Leary said he had ordered Line 3 from Scarborough to remain out of service until the TTC could be sure it was safe to resume train service. Buses will provide transportation in between.
“I know it will be an inconvenience for our customers, but it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
He promised to share more information with the public when it becomes known.