A 70-year-old woman in the United States caused major disruption to Seattle’s public transport system after reportedly following her GPS directions onto an elevated light rail track and continuing to drive for several hundred metres before becoming stranded.
Elderly Driver Ends Up On Light Rail Tracks
The unusual incident took place in Seattle on the evening of June 2 when a light rail train travelling along Line 1 of the local transit network spotted an SUV driving directly on the railway tracks ahead.
The train was forced to perform an emergency stop after operators noticed the vehicle moving along the elevated section of the rail line near the Mount Baker station area.
Emergency responders were quickly dispatched to the scene and safely removed the driver from the vehicle. No injuries were reported.
Authorities later confirmed that the SUV had become stuck on the elevated tracks, forcing rail services along the affected route to be suspended for several hours while crews dealt with the situation.
GPS Navigation Blamed For Error
According to local media reports, the woman told rescuers that she had simply been following the route provided by her GPS navigation system.
Witnesses said the driver appeared unaware that she had entered a railway corridor despite multiple warning signs, road markings and physical changes in the roadway that clearly indicated she was no longer travelling on a normal road.
The incident has sparked debate online about excessive reliance on navigation technology and whether some motorists pay too much attention to GPS instructions while ignoring their surroundings.
Officials reportedly escorted the woman away from the scene for an assessment of her health condition and driving fitness.
Rail Services Suspended For Hours
To safely recover the vehicle, transport authorities temporarily shut off power to the rail system before arranging for the SUV to be removed from the tracks.
Services resumed at around 9pm after engineers completed inspections and confirmed the line was safe for operation.
Similar Incidents Have Happened Before
While the incident may sound unbelievable, transport authorities in the United States have reported several similar cases over the years.
Past investigations have shown that some drivers have mistakenly entered railway tracks after relying too heavily on GPS navigation systems. In many cases, drivers claimed they were following directions from their devices and failed to notice warning signs or barriers.
The latest Seattle case serves as a reminder that navigation apps should be treated as a guide rather than followed blindly. Drivers are ultimately responsible for paying attention to road signs, lane markings and their surroundings to ensure they remain on a safe and legal route.
Fortunately, this incident ended without injuries, although it temporarily disrupted public transport services and left many commuters stranded while rail operations were suspended.