Metro trains stopped without hitting 2 people trying to commit suicide

Two Metro train operators–in separate incidents– managed to stop their trains without hitting two people who tried to commit suicide on the rail tracks this weekend.

During the Friday evening rush hour, a woman placed herself on the tracks at Bethesda and refused to move after the train stopped in front of her. Metro transit police took her into custody and she was taken to a local hospital, officials said. There were some delays for commuters.

On Saturday night around 9:10 p.m., a man intentionally put himself on the tracks at Judiciary Square, but the operator was able to stop the train before severely hurting him. The man suffered minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital, Metro officials said.

Metro has said it would try to stop suicides after a spike in them a few years ago. The transit agency is working to train employees on how to help prevent suicides and it has a hotline number for those in need of help.