Norristown Transportation Center (Credit: Wikipedia)
A SEPTA trolley on the Norristown High Speed Line collided with the end-of-the-line bumper at the Norristown Transportation Center on Sunday morning, injuring eight individuals, including one who was airlifted to Temple University Hospital.
The incident occurred around 9:45 a.m. near Lafayette and Swede Streets as the trolley was arriving at the terminal. According to SEPTA, the trolley made contact with the bumper at the end of the track, resulting in injuries to passengers.
Thomas O'Donnell, chief of the Norristown Fire Department, confirmed to NBC10 that eight people were injured in the crash. While the one victim that sustained injuries severe enough to require airlifting to Temple, the remaining seven were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
The conductor of the trolley was not injured in the incident. At this time, the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Busch noted that the trolley was likely traveling at a relatively low speed as it approached the end of the line, but the exact speed has not been determined.
SEPTA has not yet released information regarding potential service disruptions or delays resulting from the crash. The Norristown High Speed Line, also known as the M Line, is a 13.4-mile interurban rapid transit line connecting the Norristown Transportation Center to the 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby.
This incident adds to a series of recent accidents involving SEPTA vehicles, prompting increased scrutiny of the agency's safety protocols. In August 2017, a similar crash occurred when a Norristown High Speed Line train collided with an unoccupied train at the 69th Street Terminal, injuring 33 people.
Authorities are continuing to investigate Sunday's crash to determine the exact cause and to implement measures to prevent future incidents. SEPTA has pledged full cooperation with the investigation and is reviewing its safety procedures to ensure the well-being of its passengers and staff.
