Metro Worker Struck, Killed by Piece of Machinery

21-year veteran was making repairs

A Metro worker was struck by a piece of machinery and killed while doing repairs Sunday night on the Orange Line.

The incident happened just before 10 p.m. between the Dunn Loring-Merrifield and Vienna/Fairfax-GMU Metro stops. The transit agency said the worker was struck by a piece of equipment called a ballast regulator, which spreads gravel onto the track bed.

Michael Nash, 63, of Silver Spring, Md., was part of about 10 to 15 employees working to replace cross-ties under the track.

"We are terribly saddened to learn of this tragic accident," Metro General Manager John Catoe said. "Our hearts go out to the family members of our employee. We have begun a thorough investigation to find out the facts and to determine what we can do to improve the safety of our employees."

Nash had been with Metro for 21 years.

Metro will delay some tie-replacement work, conduct increased inspections at work sites, review work rules and procedures across the system and take other steps in response to the accident, officials said.

Metro is doing an internal review and has notified federal transportation agencies about the incident.
 

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