1 killed, 23 injured after tree falls onto NJ Transit Light Rail tracks in Township of Mansfield
BURLINGTON COUNTY, New Jersey (WABC) -- A train operator was killed and 23 others injured when a tree fell onto New Jersey Transit Light Rail tracks in the Township of Mansfield on Monday morning.
It happened just after 6 a.m. on the New Jersey River Line Light Rail track near US 130.
The train was traveling southbound from Trenton when it struck a tree that had fallen on the tracks just north of Roebling Station.
"It was a few minutes past 6 in the morning and was still dark, coming around a bend in that area, a tree had fallen down right across the rails as she came around the turn and smashed into the tree," said New Jersey Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett.
The train operator was killed, according to officials.
The train had 42 customers on board at the time of the incident. Of the passengers, 23 suffered non-life-threatening injuries, which are said to be mostly minor. The other 19 were accommodated by a bus.
The River Line runs from Trenton to Camden along the Delaware River, which is a very wooded section.
Governor Phil Murphy released a statement on social media saying,
"I have been briefed on an accident on the @NJTRANSIT_RL earlier today in which the light rail struck a tree on the tracks, leading to the death of the train operator and injuring passengers. An investigation is underway. Our prayers are with all affected by this tragic incident."
The train line service is suspended in both directions in the immediate area while investigators work the scene.
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