LIRR passengers climb from stopped train onto tracks east of Bellmore

Long Island Rail Road service was disrupted during last Thursday evening’s rush when an eastbound train apparently struck debris near the Bellmore station –– and passengers climbed onto the tracks to walk to the depot.

A Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman said the 5:13 p.m. train from Penn Station to Babylon appeared to hit an unknown object shortly after 6 p.m. on Sept. 4 and stopped 1,000 feet east of the Bellmore station platform. Officials explained that an investigation by the train crew and MTA police was complicated by passengers who ignored safety rules and left the train.

When engineers thought the train had hit an object, MTA officials said, they followed protocol. The crew left the train to check for damage and search for the object, in addition to calling MTA police. Passengers were kept informed by the crew as the investigation proceeded, and the LIRR Public Information Office issued a series of service alerts via Twitter, Facebook and the MTA website.

The spokesman, however, said that 10 passengers got off the train, forcing the LIRR to cut power to the third rail and suspend service as MTA police rounded up the passengers and made sure they were safe.

All east and westbound trains between Jamaica and Babylon were cancelled during the incident. Trains on other branches also experienced delays. 

Power was restored at 7:38 p.m. The 5:13 p.m. train then resumed its trip –– 110 minutes behind schedule. LIRR officials posted on social media at 8:33 p.m. that service was on or close to schedule.

A search of the track turned up no debris, the MTA spokesman said.