Several hurt in train collision at South Station

BOSTON -- Several people were injured after a commuter rail train coming into South Station collided at a slow-speed with a bumper at the end of the track.

Fire department spokesman Steve MacDonald said at least 18 people were being treated Tuesday morning for minor injuries.

The accident happened on Track 1, which was inbound to Boston on the Framingham-Worcester line. The train was arriving at the docking area when it slammed into a rubber bumper on the track.

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said the train from Worcester was coming into the station at a "very low rate of speed" when it hit the bumper. He said some people were standing to exit and fell after the collision.

Pesaturo said the engineer told investigators he was mistaken about the train's length, and that caused him to misjudge the distance to the end of the platform.

The passengers onboard generally reported injuries to their hands and faces along with other bumps and bruises.

Police and emergency officials are on the scene investigating the cause of the crash.

South Station remained open.

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