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‘There’s no excuse’: Riders outraged after woman hurt by falling equipment at MBTA stop

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A woman was taken to the hospital after a large piece of equipment fell on her at an MBTA Red Line station Monday afternoon.

“I think it’s unconscionable. I think it’s absolutely deplorable there’s no excuse for it,” said MBTA rider Paul Grover.

Transit officials say shortly before 4:30 p.m., a utility box attached to a column on the platform at Harvard Station fell, sending a supporting brace crashing into a woman standing on the platform. Officials on the scene estimated that it weighed about 200 pounds in total.

The woman was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries considered to be minor, according to police.

“I think it points to the structural deficiencies of the T.. it seems like they need to invest more to keep it safe for everybody,” said rider Jeff Wilson.

MBTA spent the night investigating the equipment connected to the sudden incident and also inspected other equipment inside Harvard Station.

We will take all necessary measures to protect our riders and employees and secure our infrastructure for safer service,” T officials say.

Back in March, a ceiling panel came crashing down at Harvard Station, nearly striking a passenger. The T then had to remove 76 panels from the station following an inspection.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

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