Congressional Leaders: D.C.'s Subway Needs Improvement
WASHINGTON (WJZ)--A man who performed CPR on the woman who died in a smoke-filled D.C. Metro tunnel tells his story to Congress. A congressional committee is investigating the incident.
Pat Warren has more on the gripping testimony.
On January 12, Jonathan Rogers accidentally got on the wrong train and became part of a D.C. Metro disaster.
An electrical event filled the tunnel with smoke. Rogers was taking pictures when he noticed Carol Glover.
"In a photo I believe to be the last I took before giving CPR to Mrs. Glover...sorry...other passengers were laying on the ground at 3:39 p.m.," Jonathan Rogers said.
Carol Glover died. Eighty-three others were transported to hospitals. The investigation and oversight committee wants to know why it took so long for help to arrive.
"Carol Glover tragically lost her life as she and hundreds of other passengers were stuck for over an hour in a smoke-filled tunnel," said John Mica, U.S. Representative, Florida.
In a WJZ exclusive, Dennean Baker told Marcus Washington what it was like on that train.
"One passenger tried to open a door because he wanted to get out, and as soon as you opened a door more smoke came in," Baker said.
Fans in the tunnel failed to draw the smoke out.
"NTSB Metro fans set wrong--that was kind of startling for all of us to learn yesterday," said Mica.
The committee is examining all factors and communications failures, and how to be better prepared for emergencies.
The smoke in the station came from electrical arcing on the track's third rail.