A commuter train struck Metro employee John Moore, 44, of Arlington, last Thursday on the tracks between the National Airport and Braddock Road stations. Moore died from his injuries on Monday, Metro officials said.

We are saddened to learn of Mr. Moores passing, said Metro General Manager John Catoe. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We are investigating the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident to determine what happened and to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future. 

According to the preliminary investigation, Moore, a communications technician, opened a door with access to the track and was struck by the train, a Metro statement said. A full investigation is underway and officials have notified the National Transportation Safety Board.

According to the preliminary investigation, Moore walked down a staircase in a vent shaft, opened a door to the track bed area known as the right of way and was struck by the train. The full accident investigation is expected to take a few months to complete.

Moore was the third Metro employee to die on the job this year. Eight passengers died in the June 22 collision near Fort Totten. 

A number of other apparent self-induced deaths have occurred throughout the year by customers placing themselves on the tracks in front of arriving trains.

The City of Alexandria currently funds Metro with about $15.6 million in subsidies for its rail and bus service with $12.9 million allocated for Metrorail.

An average of about 597,116 passengers a day used the Metro rail system for the week beginning September 6 and ending September 12.