LIRR Service Snagged After Train Hits Car Near Central Islip
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Long Island Rail Road train struck a car near Central Islip late Sunday afternoon, forcing the evacuation of the train.
Around 5:30 p.m., an eastbound train on the Ronkonkoma branch struck the unauthorized vehicle at Carlton Avenue, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said.
The train that struck the car was evacuated, the MTA said. There were about 500 passengers on board.
A railroad spokeswoman told Newsday that buses were sent to transport the stranded passengers. She said ladders were used to help the passengers off the train, which did not derail.
The vehicle was burned, but it was nit clear if the fire was caused by the train's impact.
A fire official at the scene told Newsday that four people managed to get out of the vehicle before it was struck.
There were no injuries reported.
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Trains on the Ronkonkoma Branch were suspended between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma in both directions after the incident. Westbound LIRR service was to resume at 9:40 p.m.
A rescue train was sent to the scene to get the car off the tracks at 7:15 p.m., the MTA said.
An investigation was under way to determine what the vehicle was doing on the tracks.
It was not clear Sunday night whether the incident would affect the Monday morning commute.
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