Sons Of Woman Who Died On Smoke-Filled Subway File Lawsuit
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- $50 million. That's the amount a family is going to court for, following the death of a woman in a smoke-filled D.C. metro subway.
Alex DeMetrick has the latest.
January 12th, this metro station in D.C. filled with smoke and shouts to get out. It was far worse aboard the train stuck down the tracks in the tunnel smoke poured in as doors opened.
"They were panicking. The next thing you know, you couldn't see from one end of the train to the other," said one eyewitness.
"It's heartbreaking and devastating to know that she suffered that way and to know that the other passengers suffered similarly," said Marcus Glover, the victim's son.
And now the sons of the woman killed in that accident are suing the D.C. Metro system for $50 million. Carol Glover was 61-years old, a Metro rider for decades, on her way home to Alexandria when she became one of the trapped, and the only one to die.
"It's only because they failed to get her out of the tunnel, and the other passengers, they failed to get them out of a smoke filled train that we're here today," said Patrick Regan, sons' lawyer.
Much of the suit comes down to time for evacuation and medical help. The call for help went out at 3:18 p.m., but it took until 4:09 for CPR to start on Carol Glover and 4:25 p.m. for the ambulance to roll to the hospital. Eighty people were eventually treated.
Glover's sons were asked if their mother had a health condition, like asthma, that may have contributed to her death.
"No, she was a very healthy woman. She took care of herself," said Anthony Glover, victim's son.
"On the day of the incident, she was just trying to get home from work. We want that kind of assurance that people can feel safe in going to work, coming home, wherever they're going. That they don't have to worry about being trapped," said Marcus Glover.
"Not going to be able to replace her ever. She was very unique and one of a kind," said Anthony.
And although a great deal of money is being mentioned in this suit, the victim's sons say they are bringing it to improve the safety of all metro riders.
Although the D.C. Metro system is the only defendant in the law suit, there is the possibility the city's fire department may also be named in the future.