WASHINGTON (AP) — Metro says five rail passengers were injured in an escalator accident at the busy L’Enfant Plaza station.

The accident occurred around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday on an escalator from the upper level to the lower level of the station.

Metro spokesman Philip Stewart says a person’s bag or piece of clothing got snagged in a metal side panel, causing the panel to rip off. Five people were injured, and three were taken to hospitals. Stewart describes the injuries as cuts and scrapes and says they were not life threatening.

The escalator is closed as Metro investigates the accident.

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