PATCO passengers stranded on the Ben Franklin Bridge

By Chris Mondics

INQUIRER STAFF WRITERS

A New Jersey-bound PATCO train filled with pre-St. Patrick's Day revelers - many reportedly inebriated - became disabled on the Benjamin Franklin Bridge shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday, stranding passengers for more than an hour.

The riders were picked up by a second train at about 7:30 p.m., said PATCO spokesman Tim Ireland. The disabled train was still was on the bridge into the late evening. The cause of the malfunction is being investigated.

"It was the impression of the police I spoke with that there were a number of well-lubricated passengers on the train," Ireland said.

Two passengers who exited the train while it was stopped on the bridge and began walking along the tracks were arrested by the Delaware River Port Authority police, Ireland said. They likely will be charged with trespassing.

Passenger Brett J. Hopkins, 31, of Fishtown, who works at the Flying Monkey Bakery at Reading Terminal and is a comic-book illustrator, was among those who were stranded.