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Mechanical Issue Causes Train Cars To Separate While Going Through Maryland

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A "mechanical issue" caused two train cars to become separated while the train was heading through Maryland Tuesday morning.

The northbound train stopped in Havre de Grace, just before the Susquehanna River.

The issue happened just before 6:40 a.m., as the Acela train topped 124 miles per hour at one point, traveling from Washington D.C. to Boston.

An Amtrak official reports every Acela train is being inspected to make sure this doesn't happen again.

The 52 passengers on the train were transferred to another train and no injuries were reported.

This latest incident is the third involving an Amtrak train in a week.

Over the weekend, two Amtrak workers died after a train collision in South Carolina. More than 100 people were injured.

RELATED: 2 Amtrak Workers Killed, 116 Hurt In South Carolina Crash

Last week, a chartered Amtrak train with GOP lawmakers, hit a truck in Virginia. One person died.

RELATED: Train Carrying GOP Lawmakers Hits Truck, Killing 1 Person

"There may not be another accident for months or even years," passenger Sharon Thompson said. "It's just so strange that three things happened so closely together."

Former NTSB chair, Mark Rosenker told CBS News that Amtrak may have to take drastic corrective measures.

"That may well include a safety stand down," Rosenker said. "Everything comes to a stop, staff is focused and and refocused on safety processes."

Current NTSB chair, Robert Sumwalt said each incident must be analyzed independently.

"I think it's very important that we have to look at each of these accidents in isolation to be able to determine if there are systemic issues," Sumwalt said.

The company says 85,000 people ride Amtrak every day.

"But recently it seems like more and more this is happening on Amtrak trains, of course I'm concerned," passenger Rick Barley said.

Amtrak said it's investigating what caused the cars to separate.

The rail company also said it's inspecting every Acela train.

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