Blind man struck by Metro train dies

A blind man who fell to the tracks and was struck by a Red Line Train Sunday at the Gallery Place-Chinatown station died from his injuries Wednesday, Metro officials said in a statement.

Metro Transit Police are investigating the accident, which occurred about 7:30 a.m. Sunday as a train heading toward Shady Grove was pulling into the station. An earlier statement this week by Metro said that the 48-year-old Rockville man "was standing at the edge of the platform and accidentally tumbled onto the tracks," according to the initial investigation. Metro has not released the man's name.

Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said earlier this week that his impairment may have contributed to the accident.

District emergency medical technicians found the man, who was conscious and alert, on the tracks under the train's first car, Metro said. He was transported to a local hospital, where he had been reported in critical condition.

-- From Staff Reports