Transit Blogger

Metro-North Accident Leaves 7 Dead

Unfortunately tragedy has once again struck the Metro-North Railroad as 7 people were killed after a Harlem line train struck a Jeep sitting on the tracks in Valhalla. Here is more via a report from Pete Donohue & Joseph Stepansky of the New York Daily News:

Seven people were killed and 12 others injured Tuesday night when a Metro-North train hit an SUV on the tracks and set off a fireball in Westchester County, authorities said.

County Executive Rob Astorino said at least 10 of the injured were seriously hurt. The dead included the driver of the car and at least five train passengers, a police source said.

The Harlem Line train with about 800 people on board slammed a Jeep Cherokee, which was on the tracks on the Commerce St. crossing in Valhalla at 6:30 p.m., authorities said.

The Jeep and the front of the train both burst into flames on impact, according to MTA spokeswoman Marjorie Anders.

The Jeep was stopped for unknown reasons on the tracks when the gate fell down on it, Anders said.

The female driver had gotten out to look at the back of the vehicle — then got back in and tried to drive forward but was stuck, Anders said.

The train shoved the car about 10 train-car lengths north.

Click here for the complete report.

Let me first offer my condolences to the friends & family of the victims of this tragic accident. They were most likely on their way home after a day of work & suddenly their lives come to an end.

I like many others are very curious as to why the car was just stopped on the tracks like that. I am not sure what possessed the driver to get back in the car instead of fleeing to safety. The investigation should begin to answer those questions in the coming days, weeks & months.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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