According to reports, three people were killed and more than 100 were seriously injured when a New Jersey Transit Train crashed into the Hoboken train station this morning. The identities of the victims have not been released, but news reports indicate that the most severe injuries were suffered by passengers in the first car of the train and persons in the station struck by debris.
The accident occurred around 8:30a.m. on Thursday, September 29, 2016 when a train on the Pascack Valley line smashed through barriers and crashed into the Hoboken Terminal. The train had reportedly originated in Spring Valley New York at 7:23a.m.; it was apparently running late. Passengers reported that the train was going fast and was not slowing down as it approached the station and then crashed suddenly. Witnesses reported hearing a loud boom.
Passengers and witnesses in the train station described the scene after the crash as chaotic and harrowing. People were breaking windows to get out of the train cars and running from the scene, as the roof of the station was collapsed and unsafe. Twenty ambulances responded to the scene and a triage was set up onsite to evaluate and treat others injured. Details about the crash and the casualties are still unfolding. The train’s engineer, who was in the leading car, was reportedly removed from the car. His injuries have not been disclosed.
NJ Transit officials are not commenting on the cause of the crash or the victims, but have said that there is heavy structural damage to the Hoboken Terminal itself, which was evacuated following the crash. All service in and out of the Terminal, including NJ Transit trains as well as PATH trains, has been suspended.
The cause of the crash is unknown and investigations are ongoing. Federal investigators are going to the scene, according to Matthew Lehner, the spokesman for the Federal Railroad Administration.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and families during this extremely difficult time. It is quite disturbing, especially given the fairly recent Amtrak and Metro North train crashes, that our region has experienced yet another train accident of this proportion. We hope that authorities move quickly to complete a thorough investigation, hold all responsible parties accountable, and implement measures to ensure that nothing like this happens again.
Block, O’Toole & Murphy, LLP is a personal injury firm devoted to aiding accident victims and their families, and protecting their legal rights after catastrophic accidents. To learn more about the firm, which has recovered nearly $1 Billion for our clients, you can review our website at www.blockotoole.com. For a free consultation, you can call 212-736-5300 at any time.
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