On the morning of Oct. 30, authorities said four MTA workers were injured, including one who was burnt severely, in a third rail explosion, the NY Post reports. This followed shortly after an overnight "Fastrack" program effort -- which terminates sections of subway lines for repairs -- at the 14th Street-Union Square station in what the MTA officials called a "minor" explosion when a cable connect with the third rail around 3:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Wilbert Cummings, a power distribution worker who was part of a crew doing routine maintenance on the on the Lexington Avenue line beneath 14th Street line, underwent second- and third-degree burns to the face, neck and legs.

Transport Workers Union Local 100 President John Samuelsen said that following the accident, Cummings was in agony, however his medical treatment at the burn center unit of New York Presbyterian Hospital has "eased his suffering," according to the NY1.

"The job's incredibly dangerous. Anytime where you're working with iron and steel around a live third rail, industrial accidents are going to happen. We take precautions, we take many safety precautions. But ultimately, at the end of the day, industrial accidents will occur when you're dealing with this environment of iron and steel," Samuelsen said.

MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said the four and five lines would run on the local track going southbound and regular service resumed before 8 a.m.

The three others -- whose identities were not revealed at press time -- suffered minor flesh burns to their face and arms. However, they have been released from the hospital

"When you work in a system with live train traffic and a live third rail, industrial accidents happen," he said. "We strive to avoid them, but sometimes they happen," Samuelsen said, noting that one most dangerous jobs in New York City belong to MTA workers.

According to NY Daily News, Cummings' partner Shivone Burnette said it was a "nerve-wracking" experience when she was first notified of what happened, however she feels better now that she knows he will survive.