Report: MBTA Worker Did Not Follow Protocol in Orange Line Evacuation

BOSTON, MA — As the Mass. Bay Transit Authority investigates a mechanical problem that sparked a smoky evacuation on the Orange Line Wednesday, Massachusetts' governor and the MBTA tell two local news stations that protocol was not followed in the incident.

Citing the MBTA, FOX 25reports a motor person "failed to follow emergency protocol," and that the employee will be re-trained in those procedures. Gov. Charlie Baker echoed the statement, speaking to a reporter from WBZ News.

Citizen video from inside Back Bay Station Wednesday depicted a chaotic scene, with passengers breaking the windows and jumping out of the smoke-filled train while staff pried open the doors of other cars to let passengers free.

Watch: Passengers Flee Smoke-Filled Boston Train, Social Media Video Shows

According to the MBTA, because the train was not entirely inside the station when the smoke started, the motor person couldn't remotely open the doors, FOX 25 reports; "they either open all at once, or the motor person has to do each one manually."

That function serves an important purpose, preventing people from evacuating onto the electrified third rail, the MBTA told FOX 25, adding that the motor person took all the right steps except one — he didn't announce to passengers what was going on.

>>> Read the full story from FOX 25 here. <<<

Several passengers and one MBTA employee were treated for smoke inhalation after the incident Wednesday. Severe delays up and down a stretch of the Orange Line lasted into the evening. Patch collected the frustrated, and frightened, comments from riders and observers after the incident here.

Image via Patrick Mannion via Flickr/Creative Commons