Door Control System Failed In MBTA Red Line Death Incident: NTSB

BOSTON — The National Transportation Safety Board says the door control system on a Red Line train failed to work the day a Boston man was killed after being dragged by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority train, a preliminary report says.

Robinson Lalin, 39, of Dorchester, was killed on April 10 after his arm got stuck in the doorway of an MBTA Red Line train leaving the Broadway Station platform around 12:30 a.m. Authorities say he was dragged a short distance, suffering fatal injuries.

"The MBTA acknowledges the release of the National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report and expresses its appreciation for the NTSB's diligent work on the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Robinson Lalin," the MBTA said in a statement. "The MBTA would once again like to extend its deepest condolences to the Lalin family regarding this heartbreaking incident."

According to the NTSB's report, Lalin was trying to exit the train as the doors were closing, but his right arm became trapped in the doorway. The train then took off from the station, dragging Lalin along the platform for approximately 105 feet and onto the surface below.

NTSB investigators say they found a fault in the local door control system that allowed the train to move with the doorway obstructed - something a safety feature the MBTA says should have prevented but didn't.

According to the MBTA, the NTSB confirmed its initial assessment of a short circuit in the train car's wiring that allowed the train to begin moving while Lalin was attempting to exit through the closing doors.

Train operators are responsible for checking the monitor and looking out the window to make sure the doors are clear before leaving the station. The train operator's name has not been released, but the MBTA says that operator has been suspended while the investigation continues.

The MBTA said they are stepping up their existing door inspection protocols and adding additional testing to prevent this from happening again.

Both the MBTA and NTSB launched an immediate investigation of all other trains, and say they found no other similar circuitry faults in any of the other Red Line cars of the same make and model.

The incident remains under investigation.