MTA worker killed by D train near Yankee Stadium in the Bronx
A tragic incident occurred on Thursday night in New York City when a construction flagger for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Moet McCullum, age 41, was fatally struck by a southbound D train at the 161 Street-Yankee Stadium station. This incident is particularly poignant given that McCullum had only been employed in her role for 11 months, marking a disturbing trend in accidents involving inexperienced flaggers within the transit authority.
The flagger’s role is critical for ensuring the safety of train operations near ongoing track work. McCullum’s death is the second such fatality in less than a year, following a similar incident in 2023 that involved 57-year-old Hilarion Joseph, who was also newly appointed as a flagger. The continuing pattern raises serious concerns about training and safety procedures within the MTA.
Demetrius Crichlow, president of New York City Transit, conveyed the agency’s grief and emphasized the loss as both a personal and collective tragedy for the MTA family. Comments from Crichlow pointed to the emotional weight of the event, urging reflection and support for McCullum’s family during this difficult time.
An internal report obtained from a media source provided details surrounding the incident that illustrate the chaotic moments leading up to the tragedy. A supervisor working alongside McCullum reported hearing a train approaching and warning others to clear the area; however, McCullum reportedly froze in place during the critical moments. The train operator later expressed concern that, although he was made aware of flaggers on the track, he did not see the required warning lights and proceeded at normal speed.
The Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents MTA flaggers, confirmed McCullum’s brief tenure with the agency and noted that she was a mother of three. In response to this incident, the MTA has temporarily removed construction flaggers from track duties for 24 hours to conduct safety retraining for all personnel.
The National Transportation Safety Board is actively investigating the incident, which draws attention to previous warnings issued by the Federal Transit Administration regarding safety practices at the MTA. These directives highlighted alarming statistics, including numerous near misses that endangered the lives of employees working in and around live rail conditions throughout this year.
As the MTA faces scrutiny over workplace safety, the investigation’s findings may prompt the implementation of more rigorous training and operational protocols moving forward.
#business #politics #technology #environment
