Officials: 29 injured in LIRR derailment

LIRR: Babylon Branch riders can expect delays, heavier passenger volume

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Long Island Rail Road riders were advised on Sunday morning to expect delays and heavier-than-usual passenger volume on trains on the Babylon Branch, which runs along the South Shore, after a LIRR train derailed outside New Hyde Park around 9:10 p.m. on Saturday.

According to Nassau County officials, 29 people were treated at local medical centers for non-life-threatening injuries. "Human error" likely caused the derailment on the Port Jefferson Branch, according to officials. As of Sunday afternoon, some service had been restored.

On Sunday morning, the LIRR issued the following instructions for riders on its website:

The LIRR has limited alternate service to and from the Hicksville through Port Jefferson stations, with a diesel shuttle train operating between Hicksville and Babylon. Transfer at Hicksville to and from Huntington and points east.

Westbound riders should take a train to Hicksville. There, they will board a diesel train to Babylon, which will travel along the Central Branch. At Babylon, transfer to a westbound train to New York.

Eastbound riders should take a train to Babylon. There, they will board a diesel train to Hicksville, which will travel along the Central Branch. At Hicksville, transfer to an eastbound train to Huntington and points east.

To avoid delays, riders are advised to use the Montauk or Babylon branches.

For Westbury and New Hyde Park riders

The LIRR is providing limited bus service between Jamaica and the New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place and Westbury stations.

Westbound riders will take a bus to Jamaica, then transfer to trains for service to points west.

Eastbound riders should take a train to Jamaica. There, they can transfer to a bus for service to New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place and Westbury.

To avoid busing and delays, riders are advised to use the Hempstead Branch.

Ronkonkoma Branch

The LIRR had established limited alternate service to and from the Hicksville through Ronkonkoma stations, with a diesel shuttle train that will operate between Hicksville and Babylon. Then transfer at Hicksville to and from Ronkonkoma. Westbound riders should take a train from Ronkonkoma to Hicksville. There, they will board a diesel train to Babylon, which will travel along the Central Branch. At Babylon, transfer to a westbound train to New York.

Eastbound riders should take a train to Babylon. There, they will board a diesel train to Hicksville, which will travel along the Central Branch. At Hicksville, transfer to an eastbound train to Ronkonkoma.

To avoid delays, riders are advised to use the Montauk or Babylon branches.

Oyster Bay Branch

Limited bus service will replace some trains on the Oyster Bay Branch. Riders are advised to use the Port Washington Branch as of Sunday morning.

To avoid delays, riders are advised to use alternate branches, including the Babylon, Montauk, Hempstead and Port Washington branches, which were operating normally. The West Hempstead, Long Beach and Far Rockaway branches were also operating on normal weekend schedules as of Sunday.

For More Information

Contact the LIRR's Customer Service Center by calling 511 or (718) 217-5477. Automated schedule information is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Agents are available to assist customers daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. To speak with an LIRR employee, say the word "representative" when the prompts begin.