MAX and Streetcar crash in NE Portland, derailing cars, pinning driver

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A MAX train and a Portland Streetcar collided in Northeast Portland, derailing three cars and pinning a driver, authorities said.

According to Portland Fire & Rescue, the crash happened near Northeast Seventh Avenue and Northeast Holladay Street right around 10 a.m. TriMet said riders should expect delays through the rest of the evening, and drivers may experience additional traffic.

The MAX Blue, Green and Red line trains were been cleared to resume normal operations just before 6 p.m.

The first arriving unit said that three cars had come off the tracks and there was visible damage to the street car, one of the drivers also became slightly pinned in the vehicle, but they were safely extracted.

Two people reported having minor injuries and they were taken to a local hospital.

It is unknown what caused the crash, or which vehicle was at fault. But the situation is currently under investigation.

“One or two things happen,” said Multnomah County Sheriff’s Deputy John Plock. “Either the signals malfunction or one of the operators misread a signal and made an error. So I don’t expect the investigation to last too long.”