5 sent to hospital after Scarborough RT train car derails, officials say

Five people were sent to hospital and 44 people were evacuated from a Scarborough RT train after its rear car separated and derailed on Monday evening, TTC and Toronto Fire officials say.

None of the five suffered critical injuries, according to Toronto Fire Services. The TTC said the derailment on its Line 3 happened at about 6:45 p.m.

In a statement on Monday night, TTC CEO Rick Leary said the trailing car of a southbound train at Ellesmere Station became uncoupled from the front cars and derailed. The cause of the derailment is not known, he said.

"I want to apologize to all those impacted by this incident and to assure our customers that safety is always paramount to all we do," Leary said.

Leary added he has ordered "an immediate review... using outside help and expertise as necessary."

Ellesmere station was closed on Monday night. 

Buses will replace Line 3 until the TTC is confident that it is safe to resume safe service, he added.

"I know this will be an inconvenience to our customers, but it's the right thing to do."

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop told reporters at the scene the train "flipped off the tracks."

Passengers "were thrown inside when it happened, and our crews were able to assist them getting out and then deliver them to the care of paramedic services," Jessop said.

Approximately 20 to 30 other passengers from the remainder of the train were able to exit the train car themselves and walked down the tracks, Jessop said.

The TTC's website says Line 3 is a 6.4-kilometre intermediate-capacity rapid transit line with six stations that opened in 1985. Its trains have been in service 10 years past their design life, according to the website.

The line is scheduled for decommission in November and is set to be replaced by buses until the Scarborough Subway Extension is opened by the Ontario government in 2030.