Latest news with #MARTA
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
State report: MARTA escalator had missing parts during mishap that hurt Beyoncé fans
A new state report shows that a MARTA escalator was missing several parts before multiple people were injured while leaving a Beyoncé concert. A report by the Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner says that three drive belts were found missing from the escalator's top drive motor and another was missing from the bottom drive motor. However, the OCI report says it was unclear if the belts were missing at the time of the incident or if they came off due to the incident. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] During the July 14 incident, 13 people were injured, with seven taken to local hospitals Grady Memorial Hospital and Wellstar Kennestone Hospital. Six others were treated on the scene for injuries, according to the OCI report. RELATED STORIES: State government investigation into MARTA escalator incident underway Man injured in stampede after Beyoncé concert says escalator 'went down like a roller coaster' Councilmember calls for full investigation into MARTA escalator malfunction after Beyoncé concert Body camera video shows the moment stampede broke out after Beyoncé concert MARTA: Vine City station escalator didn't malfunction, was inspected before Beyonce concerts The report from the OCI inspection of the escalator says that after two escalator steps were removed, all three belts from the top drive motor were found to be missing. As it examined the bottom drive motor, OCI said a fourth belt was also found off the pulley, and two others had 'walked to the top side of the pulleys.' The report says the high passenger volume that night and the motor drive belts missing 'would have caused an over-normal operating speed condition, leading to the injuries' experienced by 13 people. According to the investigation, the MARTA escalator malfunctioned as 'several patrons rush[ed] toward' it while trying to avoid an insect, according to MARTA police. The sudden increase of people on the escalator made the equipment 'jerk, speed up, and eventually stop, causing multiple injuries' to those who were on the escalator at the time, the report says. The escalator remains shut down for repairs, which were approved to move forward. Another inspection of the escalator will happen before it is returned to service. MARTA declined to comment on the report due to the incident being subject to legal claims. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fan scared by bug sparks stampede after pop icon's concert, hurting 11
A stampede after Beyoncé's Atlanta concert last week that was reportedly started by a fan being scared by a bug injured at least 11 people, according to Billboard. The incident happened at Vine City Station as concertgoers gathered to use the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) to get home from the 'Cowboy Carter Tour' show at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 15. Videos on social media captured crowds pouring into the station and an escalator malfunctioning, throwing people on top of each other as a result. Billboard reported the stampede was caused by a fan who had screamed after seeing a bug. MARTA told the outlet that 11 people were injured in the incident. 'One person suffered a broken ankle, seven people were transported to the hospital with cuts and scrapes, and one person declined transport,' a MARTA spokesperson told Billboard. 'Two people requested medical assistance after reaching their destinations. MARTA Police on scene reported that a person began screaming and running, causing a stampede on the escalator that caused it to temporarily speed up and then stop suddenly.' The spokesperson added, 'MARTA Police on scene said there was a scream and witnesses said the person who screamed was reacting to an insect. I believe there's also video on TikTok of a woman claiming it was a 10-year-old relative who screamed when she saw a bug.' The escalator was later barricaded and was said to be under investigation, Billboard reported. The frighting ordeal happened on the fourth and final night of Beyoncé's Atlanta run on the 'Cowboy Carter Tour.' Also in Atlanta, Beyoncé's choreographer and dancer were robbed on July 8, with some of the superstar's unreleased music and touring plans being stolen. The final stops on the 'Cowboy Carter Tour' are on July 25 and 26 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. More music content Rock legend fighting incurable disease performs 7 years after retiring Popular rock frontman 'doing great' amid battle with stage 4 cancer Live Wire: Eyrie House Ruins bring 'gothic folk' to Easthampton First Cambridge Porchfest, with live neighborhood concerts, kicks off July 19-20 Coldplay's Chris Martin calls out awkward moment at Gillette Stadium show Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
Mint
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Mint
US Green Card delay forces MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood to step down mid-tenure
In a striking example of how immigration hurdles can impact even top leadership roles, Collie Greenwood, the CEO of one of America's largest public transit systems, has stepped down after his work permit expired, before his green card could be processed, Newsweek reported. Greenwood, a Canadian citizen and head of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), was forced into early retirement after his Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) lapsed in June. Despite being in the US legally and awaiting his green card, he was no longer permitted to work under current immigration laws. According to MARTA's official statement, Greenwood's green card approval is imminent, but the gap in documentation left him with no choice but to step aside. 'Mr. Greenwood's Canadian visa is valid, and he remains in the US legally while awaiting delivery of his Green Card,' the agency said. His absence was noted during Thursday's board meeting, where MARTA Chair Jennifer Ide described the situation as 'very unfortunate' and acknowledged that immigration in the United States remains a complicated issue. Greenwood did not attend the meeting due to his current immigration status. Greenwood's departure marks the end of a remarkable journey. He began his career as a bus driver 35 years ago and rose through the ranks to become CEO of MARTA in 2022. He first joined the agency in 2019 as head of bus operations and urban planning. During his tenure, Greenwood helped steer MARTA through the COVID-19 pandemic and led the organisation following the unexpected death of the previous general manager. Under his leadership, the agency is now preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Atlanta set to host eight matches, including a semifinal. Greenwood's exit comes at a time of heightened immigration scrutiny in the United States. Former President Donald Trump has pledged to launch mass deportation efforts if re-elected, and immigration officials have intensified enforcement, targeting even individuals with valid documentation in some instances. Green card processing times can vary widely, ranging from six months to several years, depending on the applicant's nationality and background, leaving many in limbo despite being legally eligible to remain in the country. While MARTA begins the search for Greenwood's permanent replacement, Rhonda Allen, the agency's Chief Customer Experience Officer, has been named interim CEO and general manager.
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US Green Card delay: CEO of one of America's largest public transit authority resigns as work permit expires
The long waiting for American Green Card has started hurting US corporate world. Delays in the U.S. Green Card process are impacting leadership across various sectors. In some cases, it is forcing highly experienced executives to step down as their work permits expire. The growing backlog for permanent residency is now affecting even senior professionals who have legally resided and worked in the country for years, leaving them unable to continue in their critical roles without proper documentation. In a high-profile case highlighting this issue, Collie Greenwood, CEO of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), stepped down on July 17. His departure came after his U.S. work permit expired, and ongoing delays in receiving his green card made it impossible for him to continue in his position. Greenwood, a Canadian national, opted for early retirement, despite MARTA confirming on Thursday that the delivery of his green card remains "imminent." Immigration timelines 'hurting' corporate America Greenwood, who assumed the role of MARTA's CEO in January 2022, is widely credited with stabilizing the transit agency's finances. However, in recent months, MARTA has faced hurdles in executing key expansion and improvement projects. His unexpected departure adds to a series of high-profile resignations within the U.S. transit sector recently, many of which have been linked to operational challenges and increasingly stringent immigration timelines. Greenwood's Employment Authorization Document (EAD) expired on June 18, 2025, prompting his decision to take early retirement. MARTA confirmed that he remains legally in the U.S. on a valid Canadian visa while awaiting the "imminent" arrival of his Green Card. What MARTA said on CEOs resignation Following the expiration of his permit, Greenwood immediately ceased working. He personally informed all MARTA board members and executive leaders of his situation and formally delegated authority to Rhonda Allen, MARTA's Chief Customer Experience Officer. In a statement, MARTA acknowledged the challenging circumstances, saying, 'The immigration process is extensive and has had an impact on Mr. Greenwood's personal and professional progress. These challenges have been resolved with Mr. Greenwood's decision, and the MARTA family supports him.' AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Express Tribune
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Was Beyoncé's Atlanta show sabotaged by a cockroach?
Beyoncé's Atlanta concert ended in chaos as 11 fans were injured in a bizarre post-show incident involving a scream, a stampede, and a suspected cockroach. Just after midnight on July 15, concert-goers exiting the final night of the singer's Cowboy Carter tour at Mercedes-Benz Stadium packed into the nearby Vine City MARTA station. That's when panic broke out. According to MARTA officials, a 10-year-old girl reportedly screamed after spotting a bug, possibly a cockroach, near the escalator. That scream allegedly triggered a stampede on the crowded moving escalator, which abruptly sped up before coming to a sudden halt. Passengers began toppling over one another, leading to injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to a broken ankle. Footage from the scene shows a chaotic human pile-up, with bystanders rushing to help as the escalator surged then stopped. 'It just created a whole entire slide full of people,' one attendee told local media. 'People were just tumbling on each other.' Though MARTA initially suspected a malfunction, escalator manufacturer Schindler later claimed the system was working as designed but had been overloaded beyond capacity. The escalator has since been barricaded pending further investigation. Online, the incident quickly went viral. TikTok users shared videos of the fall and debated who, or what, was to blame. One video, claiming the screamer was a child frightened by a 'Palmetto bug,' racked up thousands of views. MARTA police and state officials are continuing to review footage and witness accounts, but for now, a simple bug has become the unlikely villain in a night meant to celebrate one of the world's biggest stars.
