SOMERVILLE – A lady who needed to climb out of a window to flee a burning Orange Line practice over the Mystic River mentioned she will not be using the MBTA “for a very long time.”
Caitlin Kenney was one in every of about 200 riders who needed to go away the practice after it broke down on a bridge Thursday morning simply earlier than it was to reach on the Meeting station in Somerville.
“It was positively essentially the most scared I’ve ever felt in my life,” she informed WBZ-TV Friday.
Cellular phone video from contained in the practice after the fireplace broke out confirmed Kenney yelling “I am scared,” moments earlier than she jumped out a window.
“I used to be getting shoved on the practice. Individuals have been shoving one another attempting to get out the window. It was absolute mayhem,” she mentioned. “I awakened this morning and I’ve large bruises all up and down my legs.”
Kenney mentioned when passengers realized the practice had caught fireplace they tried to exit via the doorways however they would not open. That is when individuals began kicking out the home windows to flee.
“That worry, I do not want that on anybody. That was panic,” she informed WBZ. “I really had quite a lot of nightmares final night time. I couldn’t sleep.”
The MBTA’s preliminary investigation exhibits {that a} aspect panel on the automotive got here involved with the electrified third rail, igniting materials below the practice. Common Supervisor Steve Poftak apologized to riders Thursday.
“A bit of metallic getting free, there isn’t any means that might haven’t been prevented,” Kenney mentioned.
She’s additionally upset that the T operators on board didn’t give them any updates or directions, which added to the confusion.
“There was no speaking, no communication,” Kennedy mentioned. “Nothing made sense in that state of affairs, nothing made sense. I am actually offended and I can’t be using the practice for a very long time.”
The incident continues to be below investigation and the MBTA says they will be clear with their findings. They acknowledged this case is testing the general public’s belief and promised to take steps to stop this from occurring once more.
