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LIRR train hits car on tracks in East Rockaway

No fatalities reported; service restored on Long Beach branch

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Photo Courtesy Chris Ferraro

A Long Island Rail Road train hit a car that was on the tracks just west of the Centre Avenue station in East Rockaway at 12:25 p.m. on Monday.

According the MTA police, the 12:09 p.m. train from Long Beach that was scheduled to arrive in Penn Station at 1:02 p.m. hit a Toyota Highlander SUV at the Rocklyn Avenue grade crossing.

An eyewitness interviewed by MTA police said that the driver of the SUV was traveling south on Rocklyn, and drove her car onto the grade crossing despite the fact that red warning lights were flashing and the crossing gate bells ringing in advance of the train’s approach.

As the SUV entered the crossing, police said, the crossing gates came down with one gate hitting the front of her car, which remained on the tracks. The train, which had just left the Centre Avenue station, hit the rear of the vehicle, pushing it off the tracks.

The driver, who MTA police said was an elderly female, survived the collision, and complained of neck and back injuries. She was taken by ambulance to South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside.

As a result of the incident, the Long Island Rail Road suspended service on the Long Beach Branch in both directions until 2 p.m.

The train involved was taken out of service and the customers onboard transferred to the next westbound train.