MALVERNE, NY — An LIRR train smashed into a car with a passenger inside Monday morning, LIRR officials said.
The West Hempstead Branch was suspended in both directions following the collision near Westwood Station in Malverne.
Customers were advised to use alternate branches, such as the Hempstead or Far Rockaway branches, or alternate stations, such as Lynbrook or Valley Stream.
It is not yet clear what caused the crash. The train and car collided around 7:15 a.m.
As of 8:40 a.m., train passengers were still being evacuated. It does not seem as if any of them were injured. The evacuated passengers were being brought to nearby school buses.
The 44-year-old male driver of the car was taken to the hospital. No information is available on his condition. Identifying information is not yet available for the man.
Officials inspected the third rail of the track to see if there was any sign of damage.
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WEST HEMPSTEAD, Long Island (WABC) -- The LIRR West Hempstead Branch is suspended in both directions after an unauthorized vehicle on the tracks was struck by a train Monday morning near Westwood Station.
The train struck the car at the Franklin Avenue crossing in Malverne. The driver of the vehicle was removed and taken to the hospital.
At least 200 people were on the train. The LIRR will remove them onto buses.
LIRR personnel are on the scene assessing possible third rail damage.
The train was the 6:53 a.m. from West Hempstead, due at Atlantic Terminal at 7:41 a.m.
Customers are advised to use alternate branches, such as the Hempstead or Far Rockaway branches, or alternate stations, such as Lynbrook or Valley Stream.