A clip shows a San Francisco Muni operator falling asleep and sending a packed train speeding to 50 mph, jolting passengers before abruptly stopping.
The story exploded online this morning (November 12), after The Neighborhood Talk posted the dramatic clip to its 6-million-plus Instagram audience. The caption framed the ride as a chaotic “rollercoaster,” and the stunning visuals did the rest. Thus, quickly pulling in thousands of likes, comments, and shares. But behind the viral moment is a serious public-safety concern: San Francisco’s transit agency now confirms the operator was suffering from “fatigue,” raising questions about oversight, staffing, and how close the city came to a tragedy.
How the Incident Unfolded on the Morning of September 24
According to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), the incident occurred at approximately 8:37 a.m. on September 24. The inbound N Judah train was packed with commuters, students, and workers heading toward downtown. After entering the Sunset Tunnel, the train began accelerating far beyond normal limits.
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That stretch of track typically has a speed limit between 8 and 10 mph as it exits the tunnel and curves toward Duboce Park. Instead, data shows the train shot past 40 mph inside the tunnel, peaked near 50 mph, and continued speeding as it burst into daylight and slammed through the curve.
Passengers were not prepared for what happened next. As the train jerked violently, people flew from seats, slammed into poles and walls, tumbled into one another, and screamed in shock. The train skipped its scheduled stop at Duboce Avenue and Noe Street. After that, continuing straight through the intersection before finally coming to a harsh stop near Walter Street.
Passengers Describe Chaos and Fear for Their Lives
The video shows exactly how intense the moment was. The inside of the train goes from calm to pure panic in seconds. One moment riders are relaxing, checking their phones, and chatting quietly. The next, their bodies are thrown sideways as the car sways violently. A woman is seen falling from her seat and hitting the window. A group of students screams as they crash into each other. Others grab anything they can to brace themselves—poles, seat backs, even other passengers…