LIRR: Train hits car, temporarily suspending service

A westbound diesel train struck a car at the Park Avenue grade-level crossing in Huntington Station early Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the suspension of LIRR service between Port Jefferson and Huntington for about an hour, officials said.

The train struck the front end of the car "that was protruding over the railroad tracks" at the crossing, an LIRR spokesman said.

According to MTA police, "the driver, who was not immediately identified, escaped unharmed, but was taken to a hospital to be examined as a precaution," the spokesman said.

Police said "the woman apparently panicked when she found herself on the tracks with the crossing gate coming down and the train approaching," the spokesman said.

Earlier, an official with the Huntington Community Ambulance First Aid Squad had said the driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Suffolk County police said the accident was reported at 12:26 p.m. and it had temporarily closed the intersection of East Fifth Street and Park.

Service was suspended shortly after the accident and was restored, the Long Island Rail Road said in a tweet, shortly after 1:30 p.m.

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The railroad said the train involved was a westbound diesel that left Port Jefferson at 11:36 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive in Hicksville at 12:43 p.m.

The crossing is the first east of the LIRR hub in Huntington Station.

Officials said the accident is under investigation by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority police.