Previous warnings over subway train at centre of fatal crash

THE subway train that ploughed into another stopped train, killing at least seven people and injuring scores of others in Washington, was part of an aging fleet that officials had sought to phase out because of safety concerns, an investigator said yesterday.

But the Metrorail transit system kept the old trains running despite warnings in 2006, said Debbie Hersman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

The rush-hour crash sent more than 70 people to hospitals. Mayor Adrian Fenty announced yesterday that seven had died, including the operator of the moving train. Two victims were in critical condition.