VALHALLA – No determination has been
made as to what caused the crash of a Harlem Line Metro-North train with
an SUV at a railroad crossing in Valhalla Tuesday evening, but US Senator
Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) Wednesday said the accident was “preventable.”
Blumenthal and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) said they are working with
the NTSB, Federal Railway Agency and MTA to get to the bottom of the crash
that killed six people and injured several others.
Blumenthal said there needs to be a “complete and thorough”
overhaul of FRA rules, particularly in light of past Metro-North incidents
including the Bronx derailment over a year ago that claimed four lives
and injured 60 passengers.
No one is casting blame concerning the most recent incident as the investigation
has just commenced, but officials said the SUV was on the railroad tracks
with the crossing gate apparently resting on it.
The train approached and rammed into the vehicle, killing the driver and
five people on the train. The third rail on the tracks was torn up and
pierced through the train car.
For people who had loved ones who may have been affected by the accident,
Metro-North has established a family assistance center at the Office of
the Westchester County Medical Examiner, 10 Dana Road, Valhalla. Information
also is available at 1-800-METRO-INFO (800-638-7646).
Metro-North train service will remain suspended between Pleasantville
and North White Plains until further notice due to this incident. Limited
bus/train service for Upper Harlem Line customers is available on the
website at www.mta.info. As the NTSB announced this morning, the train
will remain until the NTSB completes the on-site investigation and the
train will then be removed. At that time Metro-North will make repairs
and regular service through this area will resume.
