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MNRR/Metro-North train Collides with cars in Valhalla, NY 2/3/15


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#1 pennyk

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Posted 03 February 2015 - 08:23 PM

The Journal News, 2/3/15:


 

 

2 cars, train collide in Valhalla; at least 12 hurt


 

VALHALLA — At least 12 people were injured Tuesday after a Metro-North commuter train struck two cars just north of the train station.

The crash, which occurred about 6:30 p.m. near the Commerce Street crossing, caused an explosion that ignited both the cars and the train.

Numerous police and fire departments are responding for a "mass-casualty" incident. Authorities could not yet say how serious the injuries are or if anyone is believed to have been killed.

 

More here



#2 KevinKorell

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Posted 03 February 2015 - 08:45 PM

NBC New York, 2/3/15:


Packed Metro-North Train Hits Car on Tracks, Sparking Fiery Crash: Officials

 

A Metro-North train packed with commuters hit a car on the railroad tracks near Valhalla at the height of evening rush hour, sparking a fiery crash that's injured several people, officials say.

This story



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#3 KevinKorell

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Posted 03 February 2015 - 08:48 PM

The first article has been updated to 6 fatalities.  As with any breaking story, the death and injured counts will be subject to change in any direction until things are sorted out.

 

http://www.lohud.com...lties/22822737/



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#4 CNJRoss

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Posted 03 February 2015 - 10:14 PM

The Journal News, White Plains, NY, 2/3:
 

6 dead, multiple injuries after Jeep, train collide in Valhalla

At least 6 people were killed and others were injured Tuesday after a Metro-North commuter train struck a Jeep on the tracks north of the train station.

 

VALHALLA — At least six people were killed Tuesday after a Metro-North commuter train struck a Jeep just north of the train station, officials said.

 

Aaron Donovan, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said the victims included the driver of the car, a woman who was outside of her vehicle when the crash occurred, and five people on board the train.

 

At least 12 others were injured, he said.

 

The fiery scene began to unfold about 6:30 p.m. when the Harlem Line train out of Grand Central Terminal struck the black Jeep Cherokee at the narrow, two-lane Commerce Street crossing, causing an explosion that ignited both the car and the train.

 

"The gates came down on top of the vehicle, which was stopped on the tracks," he said in a statement. "The driver got out to look at the rear of the car, then she got back in and drove forward and was stuck."

 

Continue here.



#5 KevinKorell

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Posted 04 February 2015 - 01:23 AM

Death toll now seems to be up to 7. And the report has been corrected to state that it was only 1 vehicle that was involved, not two.  From CBS News, 2/3/15:

 


At least 7 dead after commuter train hits SUV near NYC

 

At least seven people were killed and a dozen injured when a Metro-North commuter train hit a vehicle during the Tuesday evening rush hour outside New York City, CBS New York reported.

This report



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#6 KevinKorell

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Posted 04 February 2015 - 01:31 AM

MTA Metro North RR website:

 


 


 

Metro-North Harlem Line Service Update

 



Harlem Line service is temporarily suspended between North White Plains and Pleasantville due to a train striking a motor vehicle in the vicinity of Valhalla.

 

Shuttle train service is operating between Grand Central Terminal and North White Plains, and between Pleasantville and Southeast.

 

Limited shuttle bus service is operating between North White Plains and Pleasantville. Customers should expect longer travel times.

 

Listen for service announcements at Harlem Line stations and monitor Service Status on this page for up to date service information.

 

 

 

Wassaic Line Customers
Delays  Posted: 02/04/2015 12:06AM

Wassaic Branch Customers should anticipate delays of 25 to 30 minutes due to late connecting trains. Please listen for announcements at your station.               

"Wassaic Branch" is really the Upper Harlem Line, the diesel extension north of Southeast.

 

 

  Special Harlem Line Schedule Effective Wednesday, February 4, 2015 Click Here For Schedule


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#7 CNJRoss

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Posted 04 February 2015 - 07:41 AM

AP, 2/4:

Commuter train slams into SUV on tracks, killing 7 people

 

VALHALLA, N.Y. (AP) -- A crowded commuter train slammed into a sport utility vehicle on the tracks at a suburban New York crossing and burst into flames, killing seven people, seriously injuring nearly a dozen others and sending hundreds of passengers scrambling for safety, authorities said.

 

The collision involved a Metro-North Railroad train and a Jeep Cherokee on Tuesday evening in Valhalla, about 20 miles north of New York City. Authorities said the impact was so forceful the electrified third rail came up and pierced the train.

 

Killed were the SUV's driver and six people aboard the train, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, making this crash the railroad's most deadly.

 

SNIP

 

Rick Hope said he was stopped directly behind the SUV and said he started to back up to give her room, but instead she pulled forward.

 

Hope told WNYW-TV the crossing signals were working properly, and the gate was down and bells were ringing. He said the gate lowered and struck the SUV, and the woman got out looking a bit confused.

 

He said the woman "kind of" wiggled the gate. He said the SUV was at the track line when she pulled forward.

 

The National Transportation Safety Board said a team was being sent to investigate.

Read more here.



#8 CNJRoss

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Posted 04 February 2015 - 08:28 AM

NTSB news release, 11:19 pm 2/3:

 

NTSB Launches Go-Team to Metro North Accident in Westchester County, N.Y.

 

February 3, 2015

 

WASHINGTON—The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a go-team to investigate today’s accident involving a Metro North commuter train and a passenger vehicle.

 

Rail investigator Michael Hiller is leading the team as investigator-in-charge. NTSB Board Member Robert L. Sumwalt is accompanying the team and will serve as the principal spokesman during the on-scene phase of the investigation.

 

There will be a short press availability with Member Sumwalt at Reagan National Airport, Hangar 6, at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday before the team leaves.



#9 CNJRoss

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Posted 04 February 2015 - 11:12 AM

USDOT "Fast Lane" blog, 2/4:

 

On the Metro-North accident
Posted byAnthony Foxx
 

Last night's commuter rail accident on Metro-North's Harlem Line claimed six lives and is a terrible tragedy; our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.

 

As of last night, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) investigators are on the scene, and this Department will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the factors contributing to this accident.

 

I have sent FRA Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg to the investigation scene, where she will join other FRA personnel on site, including a Railroad Safety Specialist acting as Lead Investigator, two Motive Power & Equipment Inspectors, three Operating Practice Inspectors, a Signal & Train Control Inspector, and our Regional Administrator. And I am being briefed by FRA as updates become available.

 

The FRA team is coordinating with local law enforcement and supporting the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB will spearhead the investigation.  They are also in close coordination with our state and federal partners including Members of Congress, Governor Cuomo, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

 

Safety is this Department's absolute top priority, and it must be every railroad's absolute top priority. If we establish that safety lapses contributed to this tragedy, we will order necessary corrective actions.

 

In the meantime, we will continue our laser focus on safety. And our thoughts go out to the victims and their families.

Metro-North has established a family assistance center at the Mount Pleasant Town Hall in Valhalla, NY, and a phone hotline at 1-800-METRO-INFO (800-638-7646).

 



#10 CNJRoss

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Posted 04 February 2015 - 11:22 AM

The Journal News, White Plains, NY, 2/4:
 

6 dead, 15 hurt as SUV, train collide; NTSB arrives

Six people were killed and others were injured Tuesday after a Metro-North commuter train struck an SUV on the tracks north of the train station.

 

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino briefed the media Wednesday morning in Valhalla.

 

"It was a horrific scene," he said. "The inside of the car was melted and charred with the third rail going through it."

 

He said the medical examiner was in the process of identifying the victims. Families are there and Astorino will meet them later to offer condolences.

 

He also described a heroic effort by the train's engineer, who survived the crash.

 

Continue here.

 

Note:  Death toll was revised downward earlier this morning.






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