March 29--At least 21 people were injured, one critically, when an Expo Line train collided with a car Saturday near USC, authorities said.
Firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the scene around 10:50 a.m., said a spokesman with the Los Angeles Fire Department. The silver Hyundai sedan struck by the train was crushed. The driver, who was in grave condition, had to be cut out of the vehicle.
The LAFD said the operator of the train was seriously hurt and also taken to a local hospital. The other 19 people suffered minor injuries.
Two Expo Line cars came off the tracks between Vermont Avenue and the train tunnel at Figueroa Street.
Train service has been suspended indefinitely, which is likely to complicate travel in the area as tens of thousands of sports fans arrive for a sellout soccer match at 6:30 p.m. between Mexico and Ecuador at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Metro officials said they are providing buses for people who can't get to their destinations because of the crash.
Photos on social media showed a crumpled compact car pinned between a train car and an iron fence near a crossing.
Much of the Metro light rail system is at-grade, and accidents involving both cars and pedestrians have been an issue for years.
The system has 5 million monthly boardings, and fatal accidents are relatively rare.
The largest concern has been about the Blue Line.
The 22-mile line connecting downtown Los Angeles with Long Beach has long been considered the deadliest in Southern California. Between 1990 and 2013, nearly 120 people have died along the line -- 31 by suicide -- more than all other lines combined.
There has been debate for several years about whether more safety precautions are needed at some Expo Line crossings that are close to schools. Metro has said existing safety measures are effective.
The train involved in the accident Saturday had large safety warnings wrapped on the car saying "WATCH THE TRAIN" and "HEAR BELLS?"
@jackdolanLAT
Updated
2:14 p.m. This post has been updated with background information about safety issues with Metro trains.
12:35 p.m.: This post has been updated with new information.
3:50 p.m.: This post has been updated with new information
This post was originally published at 11:56 a.m.
