WMATA investigating fatal accident on Red Line

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is investigating the cause of a fatal construction accident that occurred on the Red Line yesterday.

The incident resulted in the death of a contractor who worked for Holland Co. and injuries to two WMATA employees after they were struck by a piece of rail. The accident occurred in a work zone on the outbound track between Union Station and Judiciary Square in Washington, D.C., WMATA officials said in a press release.

Contractors and employees were performing rail renewal work when a fire and "loud noise" occurred near heavy track equipment used to weld rail sections, they said. The fire and noise, the cause of which has not yet been determined, occurred 70 feet to 80 feet from the workers.

Due to the federal government shutdown, the National Transportation Safety Board will not be able to send investigators to the accident site, according to a news report from ABC News Channel 7's website.