Kaminsky comments on LIRR train crash in Westbury
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Three Killed When Long Island Rail Road Trains Crash Into Vehicle
Three people were killed Tuesday evening after two Long Island Rail Road trains traveling in opposite directions crashed into a car at a railroad crossing in Westbury, N.Y., according to transit and police officials.
A Nassau County police spokesman said that the three people who died were in the vehicle when it was struck shortly before 7:21 p.m. Police and transit officials said that, according to witnesses, the car went around the railroad crossing gate, which was down at the time of the crash with warning lights flashing.
“This is a very tragic, cautionary tale that you just don’t try to beat the train,” Nassau County Executive Laura Curran said at a press conference close to the crash. “It’s not going to work.”
A police official said that investigators haven’t yet been able to identify the make of the vehicle or the identities of the crash victims.
The first two cars of the westbound train derailed following the collision, according to LIRR President Phil Eng. Seven passengers on the trains as well as an engineer and a conductor were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries, Mr. Eng said.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called for an investigation into the collision with the cooperation of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the LIRR, local law enforcement and the National Transportation Safety Board. “As we continue to gather information surrounding the incident, my heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones,” Mr. Cuomo said.
A spokesman said the NTSB is aware of the accident and is gathering information, but no decision had been made about launching an investigation.
The LIRR has made grade crossing safety a priority over the past year, adding signs to make crossings more visible and partnering with navigation app Waze to alert drivers of the danger.
State Sen. Todd Kaminsky said: “This really highlights that this is probably one of the biggest safety concerns that the railroad has and I think we need to take a closer look at what is being done and how we can supplement those efforts.”
The LIRR suspended service in both directions on the Ronkonkoma and Port Jefferson branches for several hours following the crash.
The MTA said it expects further delays for the morning commute Wednesday as it conducts repairs to 200 feet of rail damaged in the crash.
“We are going to work through the night and we are going to work to restore service as soon as possible,” Mr. Eng said.