operatorless train this morning. darrrown says he and fellow passengers started getting worried when the train blew through stations, despite passengers pushing buttons calling for a stop. >> we call kind of worried what was going on as we started thinking. i actually called the mbta. i couldn't get in contact with them. i called my girlfriend. she was saying maybe someone hijacked the train. >> reporter: at the same time braintree police called 911 to report an injured t worker. that worker was the missing driver, 52-year-old david vasquez of canton. >> an employee was struck by a train. it was just a skim but he does vey laceration. >> reporter: the control center pulled the plug on the third rail. passengers waiting and wondering in the dark for a half hour >> we were trying to open the doors and could not. we were trying to press the button to the emergency room, and nobody heard.

first car was trying to knock on the door of the conductor. that's when we discovered there was nobody there. >> reporter: she says she was not too worried but others were. >> some people were trying to break the windows. most of the people were trying to open the doors and some other people were trying to call and see what's going on. >> reporter: after half an hour t workers came on board, told passengers it was a power problem, and brought the train into the station. it was not until late thear darrel brown heard about the missing t operator. >> there's a god. there's a god. i mean, because a lot of people morning. >> reporter: but t officials say none of the 50 passengers were hurt. that driver was treated for injuries and released. >> officials held a news conference to explain what they knew about the train. let's get to tim caputo live with more. >> reporter: ryan, the

says there are specific procedures already in place to prevent something like this from happening including two different brakes that should have been engaged when that train started up. right now the dot is calling this operator error withbut not saying specifically if the reason is because the operator forgot to put on the brakes. that train rolled out of braintree without its main operator around 6:00 this morning. the 50 passengers moved through four stops for about nine minutes without slowing or stopping. other trains were moved up so there would not be a collision and then they killed the third rail to finally stop the run away. the ceo says the train initially wouldn't start so the operator got permission to step off the train to put it into bypass mode. the chief operator officer explained the steps the operators are supposed to take to ensure the train stays put.

control of the train is a large train. that lever is put into full service brake and then the moat or person is then required to walk off to the side about three feet from the operator's console there's another large lever with a chain. that deploys the hand brake on the train. cab. the door. down to the front of the train, walk around the front of the train and there is a switch to by-pass. it's aking togle switch that's thrown to put the train into by-pass. >> reporter: as recent lays 2011 there used tok two operators for every red line train but now there's only one. also for security reasons passengers are not able to access that operator area when the train is moving. we're live in the transportation headquarters in boston. >> you can see the investigation is well underway. and the train involved is now

that's where we find brian brian. he's live -- brian byron barnett, he's live with the latest. >> reporter: one source says the operator of the train simply messed up. this is the train here. the run away red line train. it's here in the cabot maintenance yard at south boston. it's been taken out of service and impounded. up there is the front car where the operator was supposed to be driving. now, investigators on scene today removed evidence from the run away red line train as they inspected the front car, investigators also took several photos of the control area inside the car. officials are now saying the operator exited the train to on the tracks and that when he did the train took off without him. several passengers on board. the source says -- a source close to the investigation says this was a case of human error with no criminal intent.

her to say after his initial briefing today. >> from what we can tell at this point, it appears to be an isolated incident. >> it's pretty clear the main control that drives the train was tampered with. but as bill just said, i think the big issue on this is whether it was a negligence issue or something else. >> reporter: now the f.b.i. was initially involved but is no longer involved at this time. we're told that the entire investigation is in the hands of the state. that's the latest from south boston, i'm byron barnett, 7news. >> we'll be bringing you new information as we get it on air on-line as well at whdh.com.

patriots today. ron brongrowski back at practice today. alexis christoforous with more. >> reporter: we'll have to wait and see. his appearance is no guarantee he'll be on the field sunday night but it was great news for the patriots. it was his first practice since being vur injured on november 29th in denver. he was listed as limited today. coach bill giving the star tight end some love. happy to see him return to practice. >> he's a great player. i always wish we'd have these guys out. >> reporter: he was wearing a brace. it was his first practice since suferg a bone bruce in denver. -- bruise in denver. >> it's part of football season. you have to be mentally tough and win a game.

for the pat's passing game. but his appearance at practice doesn't mean he's ready for game action. >> i'm not sure. >> reporter: but houston's j.j. watt stunning reporters today saying he broke his left hand in practice on wednesday and says it won't keep him from playing sunday night. >> i expect to play. don't really plan on adjusting anything or doing anything differently. just going to play the game. >> he's dynamic. he's a grate pass rusher. and never gives up on a play. we have to play well and know where he's at at all times on the field and protect our butt off this week. >> reporter: josh klein can say that again. j.j. watt leads the league with 13 sacks and he said that he's played in the past with worse injuries than a broken hand before. we're live in foxborough. >> thank you. the patriots and texans kick off

we'll get you ready wowr pregame show at 6:30. >> there's more news today. the remains of a korean war veteran returned to massachusetts today. sergeant robert decon disappeared more than 60 years ago. the remains arrived at log a. n airport. one relative spoke to us about what this day means to their family. >> i stood by my nana. this devastated her. and we would talk about it all the time. i mean she talked with everybody about bobby. they knew who he was. all of us kids. and she would be so proud today. she truly would. >> family members are planning the sergeant's iewn fal.

sorry af a norovirus outbreak. 20 students were sickened last weekend. workers scrubbed down the restaurant this week. restaurants around the country will be inspected. >> i'm sorry for the people who got sick. they're having a tough time, and i feel terrible about that. we're doing a lot to rectify this and make sure it didn't happen again >> investigators say a sick employee caused the outbreak. >> he remains at the top of the polls in the republican race for the white house. coming up, donald trump in new hampshire tonight where his controversial comments regarding muslims and a ban aren't sitting well with many people. >>. w and we continue to follow breaking news. a run away train on the red line with dozens of passengers on board. cars went through several stations without stopping.

sources telling 7news that a 25-year veteran of the mtba was supposed to be at the controls was not. we'll stay on top of this story on air, on-line and at whdh.com. >> reporter: hi i'm christa delcamp in mallborough for this

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>> donald trump is the leader of the pack in the republican presidential polls and will be in new hampshire tonight. it's his first advice toyota grand state since his controversial comments about not letting muslims into the united states >> those comments are stirring anger for some. coob -- cook cook is live with more -- kimberly bookman is live with more. >> reporter: you see the protesters here. but one thing you'll notice is everyone is quiet and calm. the candidate has not yet arrived. awaiting donald trump in portssmith this evening, more than 100 protesters with signs about peace >> a lot of us are so offended and outraged by the hateful things we hear, we want to be opposite of the of that.

the republican presidential candidates makes his way back to the state after saying he wants to ban muslims from the united states. it's received backlash >> she's race baiting, religious bigot. >> reporter: graham is trying to position himself as the voice of reason calling the republican party to dump trump. some many here tonight agree with. >> we have a major presidential candidate who does not respect the whole swath of the american people. it should disqualify him for running for president. >> reporter: but despite this, trump was still invited to speak this morning. after hearing what he has to say in person they'll decide whether to endorse or step away. one protesters did go inside and started trouble and had to be removed. the event has not started yet. 5745 is when everything is

you can see the crowds waiting for trump to arrive here. the event will get underway and we'll be covering it live for you tonight. >> reporting live. kimberly bookman, 7news. >> the cool weather didn't last long. we're back near 60

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>> absolutely beautiful spring day. in december. >> this feels like fall, kris. >> it feels like pay back after last december. well deserved keeping the mild air in place. some of you waiting for that cold air to arrive. you know the skiers are chom ping he bit but we'll take the mild weather as long as we can get it. 48 in the city of boston. down to 43 in nashville. no frosty start out there tomorrow morning. the visibility has come down. you get to the west and back up towards con cord, new hampshire. there's been patchy fog. i can't rule out patchy fog and low clouds overnight. otherwise it's quiet.

that we start off the morning like that. i don't expect rain tomorrow morning and in the afternoon we welcome a mixture of sun and clouds. and temperatures jumping up into the upper 50s to near 60 . 40s overnight tonight. that wind light out of the south, southwest tomorrow. the wind out of the southwest. mild wind direction for us. 57 to 62 . right back at this 60 reading again. same case over saturday. sunday's temperature map, depends on where you live. there's a big difference here. high pressure nosing in from the north here into the northeast. may slip a back door cold front in. how does it breakdown sunday afternoon? in the front is slower dropping back in these numbers may be higher mid-day.

east upper 40s to lower 50z. best chance of mid 50s on sunday. the further south and west you go. regardless still above the average for this time of year and that's where we'll stay during the seven-day forecast. energy moving into the pacific northwest. that will translate across the country by sunday triggering severe weather. and down through portions of texas and louisiana, alabama and mississippi and then that will head off to the north and east. don't expect severe weather with it but we'll get gusty downpours in here, monday and monday night. best chance of widespread rain will come late monday into monday night. dried out by tuesday and wednesday. thursday features another chance of showers. but look at the numbers on the seven-day forecast. no cold air to be found.

the broncos on november 29th, he was carted off the field with what was thought to be a serious knee injury. but after that, the all world tight end was back on the practice field today. a welcome sight for the coach and patriots fans everywhere. gronk had a brace on the injured right knee but appeared to be his usual self otherwise, drawing a high five and smile from his head coach. officially listitied as a limited participant and his status for sunday's game will be updated tomorrow. while he returned to action the tax taxians j.j. watt missed practice today after breaking practice. the defensive player of the year has never missed a game in the nfl and doesn't expect to break that streak come sunday night. with our without a broken hand he knows he and his teammates will have their hands full going

>> tom is one of the to ever do it. he has great command of his offense. he's been doing is for a long time. he's a smart player. he knows that offense inside and out. he knows where he's going to put the ball, and he's going to put it on the receivers fast. >> we had a great head coach. we had great players. really, excellent coaching staff. the guys that i worked with over the five years that i was there they're great football coaches. >> sunday night marks the first time texans' head coach will face the team that gave him his start in the nfl. he spent five seasons in new england on staff serving as the team offensive coordinator. his former boston mentor was quick to return the praise. >> billy has a good -- he's got a good mix of all those things,

command, intelligence, decision-making, poise. again, you know, nobody could have gone into a tougher situation that be penn state and did what he did in two years. >> patriots and texans kicking off here on 7news. on sunday we'll get you ready wowr 7 on the side lanes pregame show. the celtics showed last night they may be a force to be reckoned with the eastern conference defeating the bulls for their fourth win in their last five games. they're four over 500 for the first time under brad stevens. up next, the undefeated 23-0 golden state warriors tomorrow night. >> we're going to take it another game. i know they're coming in with a hot streak. they're undefeated. super ball. we have to look at it as another game. another chance for another win and carry ourselves like that.

excited they're going to blow us out. >> and the bruins in a good place after beating the canadiens last night breaking an eight-game losing streak. they've off until saturday when

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>> thank you so much for joining us on this busy news day.

we hope you join us later on tonight. we'll be updating the breaking news on the red line and nor. 7news at 11:00.

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