Hiawatha Light Rail Train, Car Collide

Light Rail Train, Car Collide in Mpls
Witnesses say car drove around downedgate arm
Published : Monday, 03 Aug 2009, 4:03 PM CDT
MINNEAPOLIS - One person was critically injured when a light rail train collided with a car Monday afternoon in Minneapolis.
The accident happened around 3:40 p.m. at 35th Street E.
According to authorities Abdirahman Hirsi, 22, is in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center after his car was hit by the southbound light rail train.
Witnesses told Metro Transit officials the vehicle was traveling southbound on Hiawatha and attempted a right-hand turn on 35th, driving around a downed gate arm, causing the collision with the southbound train.
Metro Transit spokesman Bob Gibbons said the car was pushed approximately 150 yards down the line before coming to a stop. The man inside was extricated and transported with what appeared to be serious injuries.
Gibbons said light rail service has been disrupted as a result of the accident between the Franklin and Fort Snelling stops.
Metro Transit buses will take passengers along that stretch of the route until service is restored, which Gibbosn said will be “some time."
There were about 100 people on board the train. Many of the passengers were unaware the train had hit a vehicle. No injuries were reported on the light rail train.