9 taken to hospital after SEPTA R1 crash

Nine people were taken to Albert Einstein Memorial Hospital before dawn this morning when a SEPTA work train rear-ended a commuter train in North Philadelphia.

The R1 commuter train had just left Fern Rock station and was on its way to Center City and Philadelphia International Airport. Eighteen passengers were aboard when it was rear-ended about 4:40 a.m. just southwest of 10th and Wagner Streets.

All nine taken to hospital were released within hours. Four were SEPTA workers and five were on the passenger train, said Felipe Suarez, a spokesman for SEPTA.

"We'll know more once we've had a chance to conduct interviews. But right now we don't have a cause for the accident," said Suarez

Eight others reported minor injuries but were not hospitalized.

The hospital is only blocks from the accident scene.

The R1, R2, R3 and R5 trains were running up to 25 minutes late this morning as crews investigated the accident and trains were funnelled through the crash site on one set of tracks.

Commuters to Center City may find it quicker to disembark at Fern Rock and take the Broad Street Line to City Hall.

At 7:35 a.m., Inquirer staff photographer Tom Gralish reported that SEPTA trains were running in both directions through the accident area.