Service Restored On Long Beach Branch After LIRR Train Strikes Vehicle On Tracks
EAST ROCKAWAY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Service has been restored with residual delays in both directions on the Long Island Rail Road's Long Beach Branch between Long Beach and Valley Stream.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the temporary suspension Monday afternoon was due to a train that struck an unauthorized vehicle that was on the tracks.
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MTA police said the 12:09 train from Long Beach to Penn Station hit a Toyota Highlander SUV at the Rocklyn Avenue grade crossing in East Rockaway around 12:25 p.m.
Service Restored On Long Beach Branch After LIRR Train Strikes Vehicle On Tracks
A witness told authorities the SUV driver -- described as an elderly female -- was heading south on Rocklyn Avenue when she drove onto the grade crossing despite flashing red warning lights and crossing gate bells ringing as the train approached the intersection.
According to MTA police, the gates came down behind the SUV while it was still on the tracks and the train, which had just left the Centre Avenue station and hit the rear of the vehicle, pushing it off the tracks.
The driver survived the crash and was taken to South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside with neck and back injuries, WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.
MTA police said debris from the collision was spread over both eastbound and westbound tracks, forcing the temporary suspension in both directions.
There were no reports of injuries to the approximately 60 passengers on the train.
The train was taken out of service and the passengers were transferred to the next westbound train, the MTA said.
