Three killed, several trains delayed in Westbury LIRR crash

Janelle Clausen
Three people were killed in a fatal crash before this LIRR train derailed and collided with the Westbury train station platform. (Photo by Janelle Clausen)
Three people were killed in a fatal crash before this LIRR train derailed and collided with the Westbury train station platform two weeks ago. (Photo by Janelle Clausen)

Three people were killed and seven injured in a crash at the Westbury train station on Tuesday night, after a vehicle weaved around lowered crossing gates onto the tracks, leading to a derailed train and a snarled Wednesday morning commute, according to the LIRR.

Phillip Eng, the LIRR president, said the driver went around the lowered flashing gates and an eastbound train pulling out from the station struck the vehicle, according to the New York Times.

A westbound train then struck the vehicle before the two front cars derailed, the Times reported.

A photographer documents the damage from Tuesday night's crash. (Photo by Janelle Clausen)
A photographer documents the damage from Tuesday night’s crash. (Photo by Janelle Clausen)

Authorities said the three people killed were in the car.

According to the Long Island Rail Road, approximately 200 feet of third rail and running rails of one of the tracks was damaged by the collision and needs to be repaired. The Westbury station platform was also damaged when a train crashed into it.

As of Wednesday morning, crews are still working to assess and repair the damage.

The LIRR said there was limited westbound service during the morning rush on the Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma branches and that eastbound train service would be suspended. Midday train service through Westbury will also be suspended to allow re-railing of the remaining cars, the agency said.

The incident prompted New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to call for a probe of the crash.

“As we continue to gather information surrounding the incident, my heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones,” Cuomo said in a statement. “In wake of this tragedy, I am calling for a full investigation into the collision, including with complete cooperation of the MTA, State Police, local law enforcement and the NTSB.”

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