Union slams Brightline for running smoke-filled train from Miami to Orlando

MIAMI, Fla. (CBS12) — A workers’ union is demanding a probe after a smoke-filled Brightline train traveled from Miami to Orlando on Friday, leaving three crew members hospitalized.

In a news release, union officials slammed the high-speed rail, alleging that the train remained in service long after it should have been stopped for repairs.

Officials say the incident began shortly after the train departed Miami at 7:20 p.m. According to the Transport Workers Union, sparks and smoke emanated from beneath the rear of the train before it reached its first stop at Aventura.

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As smoke began filling the second-to-last car, crew members were forced to evacuate passengers from the final two cars into the forward sections of the train, per reports.

Despite the smoke, the train continued making all scheduled stops in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach.

The union is filing an incident report with the Federal Railroad Administration, according to TWU International President John Samuelsen, who said:

Brightline’s actions here are nothing short of despicable. They recklessly put the safety of passengers and workers at risk. This is completely unacceptable on many levels.

While Brightline staff met the train in West Palm Beach to conduct an inspection, the train was permitted to continue all the way to Orlando, per reports. It eventually arrived at 12:20 a.m., approximately two hours behind schedule.

Following the journey, officials say three onboard attendants were transported to a hospital after suffering from headaches and nausea attributed to the smoke inhalation.