Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News / Getty Images
San Francisco commuters faced a startling incident when a Muni train operator appeared to fall asleep at the controls, causing passengers to be jolted from their seats. The event, captured on security video obtained by ABC News, occurred on the morning of September 24. The N-Judah train was traveling inbound toward downtown San Francisco at an excessive speed of 50 mph, far above the typical 8 to 10 mph, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).
As the train exited the Sunset Tunnel near Duboce Park, it experienced a series of unexpected jolting movements while navigating a curve. The train passed its designated stop at Duboce Avenue and Noe Street before finally coming to a halt on Duboce just past Walter Street. Passengers were visibly shaken, with some being thrown against the train's walls. In the footage, the driver can be heard saying, "I'm sorry, relax, relax, relax -- it wouldn't stop. We didn't crash."
The SFMTA has confirmed that the incident was due to "operator fatigue" and has placed the operator on "nondriving status" while addressing the situation according to internal protocols. SFMTA Director Julie Kirschbaum stated, "Safety is always our top priority. We are committed to accountability in response to this specific unacceptable incident and we are taking all necessary steps to keep Muni safe and reliable for all riders and the public."
The agency is taking measures to ensure the safety and reliability of the Muni system following this incident.