More than 100 injured, at least 1 dead after major New Jersey Transit crash at Hoboken station
A train smashed into the terminal of the New Jersey Transit Hoboken station Thursday morning, injuring more than 100 people and killing at least one, officials said.
Passengers posted pictures on social media showing severe damage at the station around 8:45 a.m., with hordes of commuters held up on platforms.
The cause of the crash is unknown.
The crash left more than 100 people injured, with many in critical condition, NJ Transit director of media relations Jennifer Nelson said. CBS News reported at least three deaths.
Nelson did not confirm any deaths, or if anyone is still trapped on the train.
One passenger saw the conductor "completely bloodied" while stepping off the wrecked train.
"We saw that the entire structure had collapsed into the front of the train," Jamie Weatherhead told the Daily News.
She said the train appeared to never slow down before the wreck.
"It was the standard speed. We saw that we were in the station already," she said.
"I'm not sure why it didn't slow down or if it tried to break. The lights went out. We felt more than a jolt. Everyone was thrown to the other side. They were yelling, 'Stay calm! Nobody start running!'"
NJ Transit has been planning to install a speedy safety system called Positive Train Control, but it is not expected until Decemember 2018.
The software, which would monitor speeds of NJ Transit trains, is still being developed, according to a federal transit report published this month.
Witness Alyson Hudson, who was riding on the Montclair-Boonton line, told The News the devastation was "horrifying to see."
"You could see the whole ceiling, it looks like it took the whole support beams down, the ceiling was coming down around it," she said.
NJ Transit said it is suspending service in and out of the station "due to a train accident." But it offered no other immediate details about the crash. PATH and light rail service at the station is also suspended.
The Hoboken Terminal serves an estimated 50,000 commuters each day with NJ Transit, PATH, light rail, buses and ferries.
"My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected," Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer tweeted.
"Thank you for the outpouring of support and to all the first responders on scene."
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's office had no immediate comment on the crash.
The crash comes just weeks after an NJ Transit bus driver and one passenger died in an
early morning crash with another commuter bus in Newark.
New York and New Jersey bombing suspect Ahmad Rahami also allegedly planted explosives at the NJ Transit Elizabeth station the night before he was captured. A police robot accidentally detonated the pipe bombs, but no people were harmed.
Look at the station. It's total carnage
