New England News

Friday, April 13, 2007

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Driver trapped in lockdown after security breach on the Silver Line

BOSTON -- A driver was stopped in their tracks after it bypassed MBTA security on Thursday night.

"I don't know," Dan Grabauskas, General Manager of the MBTA, said. "Maybe the person was lost. Maybe they had too much to drink. Obviously they weren't completely doing what they should be doing.

The driver of the car broke through a security arm in front of the Silver Line tunnel at the World Trade Center MBTA station, but luckily there was a second line of defense. Metal plates that come up from the ground, acting like a wall, are deployed when any vehicle other than the Silver Line buses enter the tunnel. The plates are essential because the tunnel empties into South Station.

"Presumably, if a terrorist is coming down there in a van loaded with explosives, if it works and it stops it, that would be very nice," Jim Craver, Silver Line passenger, said.

"These barriers can stop a tank going 40 miles-per-hour," Grabauskas said.

After reaching the barrier, the car was able to escape by backing-up trough the tunnel. Police are working to find the driver.

"There is a license plate in the rear of the vehicle," Lt. Lewis Best of the Transit Police said. "We do have some capabilities to enhance that video."

This is not the first time an incident like this has occured. In 2006, MBTA officials were able to track a driver down using security camera. The suspect had to pay restitution and a vandalism charge.

This particular tunnel was the first tunnel in the country to open following the September 11 attacks.

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