Early Monday, a New Jersey Transit train struck a tree, killing a train operator and injuring 23 others, according to authorities.
The incident occurred at 6:04 a.m. when a River LINE train, heading south from Trenton, collided with a tree north of the Roebling Station, according to a statement from NJ Transit.
Authorities said that 23 of the 42 passengers on board had primarily minor, non-life-threatening injuries. A bus was used to carry the other nineteen guests.
Inquiry is underway by the New Jersey Transit Police.
There was an alternative bus service between Florence and Trenton in place of the River LINE service, which was suspended in both ways.
On X, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stated that he had been informed of the incident, “where a light rail struck a tree on the tracks, resulting in the death of the train operator and serious injuries to passengers.
We are praying for everyone impacted by this terrible event. A rail passenger named Norris Young told that the train struck a “gigantic tree.”
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“There was a tree on the track. I don’t know if it fell on the track or if it was just laying on the track,” Young stated.
He described seeing at least one person carried away on a stretcher and seeing other people hurt.
“It was like a movie,” he stated. “I’m still shaken up. Somebody lost their life.”
NBC: New Jersey Transit operator dead, 23 people hurt after train hits tree
