Following GPS, woman drives car onto elevated train tracks in Seattle

A GPS navigation error led a 70-year-old woman in Seattle, United States, to drive her SUV onto an elevated light rail track, disrupting train services for around two hours on Tuesday evening (2 June).

According to Seattle-based local radio station KIRO, the incident took place near Mount Baker Station in a neighbourhood southeast of downtown Seattle. 

The driver reportedly followed GPS instructions that mistakenly directed her onto the rail line. 

She continued driving for about a quarter mile along the tracks before the vehicle became stranded.

CCTV  footage from the scene shows a red Mazda SUV stuck between the rails on the elevated track as it struggled to move forward. 

A widely circulated image later showed the driver standing beside the vehicle with her hands on her hips while emergency crews worked at the site.

KIRO reports that the incident forced transit authorities to suspend operations on the city's 1 Line light rail service for approximately two hours that evening. 

Emergency responders first cut off power to the rail system before beginning the removal operation.

Authorities used a swing loader, a rail-compatible lifting machine, to remove the SUV with the help of straps, according to footage broadcast by local television station KING-TV.

No injuries were reported in the incident. 

Police said the driver was not under the influence of alcohol and will not face criminal charges. 

She was taken to hospital for medical evaluation following the episode.