DC Metro Head Offers 'Deepest Condolences' Following Rail Incident

— -- The head of the DC Metro system offered his "deepest condolences" today for the death Monday of a rider following an underground incident, saying officials are "actively cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board investigation that is now underway."

"On behalf of the Board of Directors and all Metro employees, I offer my deepest condolences to the family of the passenger who died yesterday following the incident on the Yellow Line. To those who were injured or frightened, and to the thousands who have been inconvenienced by this major service disruption, I offer a heartfelt apology. Please also know that Metro is working to restore full service as soon as possible," said Metro Board Chair Tom Downs in a statement.

"Metro is actively cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board investigation that is now underway. This will be a thorough process that often takes time, and we understand that passengers want answers quickly. Please know that once the cause of this incident is understood, we are prepared to take the actions needed to prevent this from happening again. The safety of each and every Metro rider and employee remains our absolute highest priority," he added.

Trains at the downtown Washington, D.C. metro station were running near-to-normal today following Monday's deadly accident that claimed the life of one woman and sent dozens of others to the hospital after a halted train filled with smoke.

During a press conference Monday night, National Transportation Safety Board investigator Michael Flanigon said the accident, which took place at the L’Enfant Plaza station, was caused by an electrical arcing that involved the third rail track and the power supply cables that connect to the rail.

Flanigon noted that there was about an inch or more of water along the tracks near that third rail.