Blue Line train pulls out of station with doors open

CHICAGO (WLS) -- CTA riders captured photos of an inbound Blue Line train moving with its doors wide open as it left the Damen station on Wednesday morning.

A CTA spokesperson said Wednesday night that safety is the CTA's first priority, and that incidences like this are extremely rare.

"I turned around and right behind me the doors were still open," said Walid Mendez.

Mendez said he backed away and helped a fellow passenger.

"There was a woman in front of me that didn't have anything to grab onto, so I just grabbed onto her and gave her a place to stand," Mendez said.

The tracks here are elevated and electrified, raising safety concerns. The CTA released a statement, saying they're investigating and that "...a mechanical issue may have prevented proper operation of the doors."

Some passengers say the doors had problems at Damen, and even before that stop.

"We ran express to Damen and then the same thing happened at Damen, multiple times. Open, close, open, close," said Katie Klinzing.

This has happened before. Last year, a passenger recorded video of doors stuck open on another Blue Line train. That train, along with the one on Wednesday, were both taken out of service and inspected. It's a lesson for riders in general.

"I think it's pretty scary because sometimes I lean against the door," said Mario Garcia.

"I definitely don't always sit on the train, and I tend to stand near the doors, so it's definitely scary," said Rachel Gonzales.

The train's operator unloaded the train at the Monroe stop, where everyone was able to exit safely, CTA officials said.