News 4’s Chris Jose reports.
A Long Island Rail Road train derailed in Queens on Thursday, with emergency personnel responding to the scene to treat at least 10 people who had been hurt, according to officials.
The passenger train became disabled before noon near 93rd Avenue & 175th Street, east of Jamaica Station, the MTA said. Eight train cars derailed with 13 injuries reported, none of which were believed to be life-threatening, according to the FDNY.
Passengers described feeling a big jerk immediately before the derailment, which brought the train to a full stop.
"It was like boom boom boom, we knew something was wrong," said Terry Queen, from Hempstead. "A lot of prayers, train turned into a church real fast."
Amid those prayers were cries of pain from some passengers who suffered bumps and bruises. One man was seen carried on a stretcher. The injured were treated at a triage area at 175th Street and Douglas Avenue.
A photo from inside one of the cars showed firefighters on board the train that left Grand Central at 10:43 a.m. and was due in Hempstead at 11:37 a.m. Customers were being transferred to another train and brought to Jamaica Station.
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About 100 people were on board at the time of the incident, which occurred at a point where train speeds typically drop from 80 mph to 60 mph. Officials said the train was going 54 mph at the time it derailed, so speed was not believed to have played a factor.
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"There is damage to the ties and other railroad infrastructure as well, and that has to be addressed," said MTA Chairman Janno Lieber.
NYC officials said that traffic delays, road closures and mass transit disruptions should be expected. LIRR said eastbound trains were bypassing Hillside, Hollis and Queens Village as a result of the derailment, with other trains rerouted. There were 10-15 minute delays on the Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma lines Friday morning.
NYC Transit buses would cross-honor tickets for service between Jamaica and Queens Village, the MTA said.
“Our top priority is ensuring all passengers and railroad workers are safe and that train service resumes as quickly as possible,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
The MTA said it was not immediately clear what caused the derailment and an investigation is ongoing. The Federal Railroad Administration safety regulator was notified as well, and had personnel at the scene during the aftermath.
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