Long Beach Branch service restored after train hits person in Oceanside, LIRR says
A person was struck by a train just east of the Long Island Rail Road station in Oceanside Thursday morning. Credit: Jim Staubitser
The Long Island Rail Road said that a person hit by a westbound train Thursday morning in Oceanside went around a lowered grade-crossing gate before being struck. The incident caused about a 90-minute suspension of all service on the Long Beach Branch, before being restored about 9:45 a.m., the railroad said.
An LIRR spokeswoman could not immediately provide information on the person struck, but said MTA police responded to the scene.
The railroad said the incident occurred at 8:13 a.m. at the Weidner Avenue grade crossing, west of Lawson Boulevard and just south of the Oceanside train station, and involved a New York City-bound train from Long Beach carrying 35 passengers. There were no reported injuries on board the train.
In a statement, the railroad said: "The person had passed a lowered gate that had warning light flashing to enter active track area prior to being struck."
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The service suspension affected all service on the branch between Long Beach and Valley Stream and resulted in the railroad providing alternate bus service during the suspension. The LIRR said there were 15-20 minute delays after service was restored, but that service is now back to normal.
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