Long Island Rail Road Commuter Trail Derails, More Than 100 Injured
More than 100 people suffered minor injuries this morning when a Long Island Rail Road train derailed at the Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, New York. According to the New York City Fire Department, all reported injuries are non-life threatening, with patients being characterized as “walking wounded.”
One passenger told WNBC that they heard a loud boom, then the train doors opened. “I don’t know, all I remember is being on the floor,” a woman said.
According to ABC Eyewitness News, at least one source said that the train was going too fast as it entered the station and struck the bumper at the end of the track.
Approximately 600 passengers were on the train at the time of the accident. One witness described the scene as “total pandemonium,” with people screaming, crying and panicking.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that compared to the Hoboken train accident, this crash was a “relatively minor accident,” but promised a full investigation.
Twitter images showed the train tipped at an angle.
.@MTA LIRR train derailment: emergency personnel/traffic & transit delays/road closures near Atlantic Ave & Flatbush Ave, BK
— NYCEM – Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) January 4, 2017
My #LIRR train crashed at #AtlanticTerminal in #Brooklyn. Crazy. Seems only a few people are lightly injured. pic.twitter.com/oXHvy2yxDL
— Aaron D. Neufeld (@Aaron_D_Neufeld) January 4, 2017
#brooklyn. Train crashes into Atlantic terminal. Hope all is well with you all.. our Founder was on this train. Crazy! pic.twitter.com/TvY5cCpb0s
— CoLab-Factory (@CoLabFactory) January 4, 2017
According to Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Long Island Rail Road train is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, carrying an average of 301,000 passengers each weekday.