A 53-year-old Elmont woman was fatally struck by a westbound Long Island Rail Road train at the Covert Avenue crossing in New Hyde Park last Sunday at approximately 3:25 p.m., MTA Police report.
MTA police said the incident is being investigated as a possible suicide.
The train engineer said the woman walked around the crossing gate and onto the track and stood facing the oncoming train, MTA Police said. The police said that a second person who witnessed the incident corroborated the engineer’s account.
Positive identification of the woman awaits the outcome of an autopsy and a review of dental records, the police said.
Units of the Nassau County Police Department were still on the scene assisting in the investigation two hours after the woman was struck. Units of the New Hyde Park Fire Department responded to the scene, but were told their assistance was not needed, New Hyde Park Fire Department Chief Brian Sherwood said.
As a result of the incident, service was suspended in both directions between Mineola and Jamaica until 4:45 p.m. when one track was returned to service with trains alternating in both directions but traveling at a reduced speed, the MTA reported. Full service was not restored until approximately 6:30 p.m.
The incident delayed 30 trains, according to the MTA.
