by Jerry Burke
While detectives in the Third Precinct are still investigating the incident in conjunction with the LIRR, they have no reason to believe that it was anything other than a suicide.
Police say that the man, identified Saturday afternoon as Matthew McGrath, was hit at 2:40 a.m. in front of the 1:46 a.m. train out of Penn Station. He died instantly.
According to Detective Lt. Arthur McLaughlin of the Third Precinct, the investigation into McGrath's death continues. "We have nothing to indicate that any witnesses have come forward," said McLaughlin. The police were unable to comment about why the victim was there or if he had any reason to commit suicide, but McLaughlin said the family was notified as soon as an identification was made.
A spokesperson for the Long Island Rail Road reaffirmed that the investigation is ongoing. McGrath's death shut down train service on both the eastbound and westbound tracks for about two hours. Because of the late hour, the power outage affected only two other trains, canceling the 3:49 a.m. eastbound from Penn Station and forcing commuters on the 4:11 a.m. westbound from Hempstead to use provided bus service. The train that hit McGrath was running 15 minutes behind schedule, and was delayed for two hours.
McGrath's family could not be reached for comment.
