Updates on Metro North Train Derailment

by Stephanie Colombini, George Bodarky | 12/01/2013 | 9:38am

Updates on Metro North Train Derailment

Learn what's happening with the Hudson Line train derailment in the Bronx

Federal authorities are investigating what might have caused a commuter train to derail in New York City, killing four people and injuring more than 60 others.  The National Transportation Safety Board is probing Sunday's fatal Metro-North train crash. The agency says its investigators will spend up to 10 days looking into the crash.  Here are the latest updates in the news:

December 2, 2013 @ 5:46 am  - Metro-North Hudson Line: Limited Service, Bus Shuttle After Train Derailment

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9:30 am - New York Post reports at least four dead and 40 injured in the accident.

9:30 am - AP reports 130 firefighters are on the scene near Spuyten Duyvil station.

9:45 am - Daily News reports injury count at 48 passengers.

9:50 am - NBC news reports Hudson line service has been suspended indefinitely.  And service on the Amtrak Empire Line has also been suspended from Albany to New York.

9:53 am - FDNY confirms 67 injuries, including four dead, 11 critical, and 6 serious but non-life threatening. 

10:03 am - AP reports passenger Joel Zaritsky was on his way a dental convention in New York City:

"I was asleep and I woke up when the car started rolling several times. Then I saw the gravel coming at me, and I heard people screaming. There was smoke everywhere and debris. People were thrown to the other side of the train," he said, holding his bloody right hand.

10:10 am - Fox News reports the train was express and was not due to stop at the Spuyten Duyvil station.  And Amtrak Northeast Corridor service between Boston and Washington is not affected.

10:20 am - Governor Cuomo says those lost this morning are in his prayers. 

"Let's all say a prayer and remember those people who we lost this morning, and they're families.  And we'll let the first responders do they're job."

He says the families have yet to be notified.  Cuomo says it appears all the passengers have been accounted for; the area has been searched several times.  He says the 63 injured have been taken to multiple hospitals to receive care.

10:30 am - FDNY Chief of Department Edward Kilduff says three of the four passengers who died were found off the train.  They believe the victims were thrown from the train when it derailed off the tracks, but more investigation is required.  He says they're working to stablize the trains and avoid any situation with hazardous materials.

Commissioner Salvatore Cassano says about one hundred people were estimated to be on the train.  They are still trying to get the total number of passengers on the train, but extensive search teams appear to have found everyone.

10:50 am - NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly urges anyone who thinks a loved one may have been on the train to dial the city's 3-1-1 service.

11:14 am - If a loved one was on the train, authorities say you can call 3-1-1.  If you are outside NYC call 212-New-York (212-639-9675).

11:25 am - According to WABC, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board Deborah Hersman says a team of investigators is leaving Washington to head towards the scene.   Hersman said a typical investigation takes five to seven days, and encouraged everyone to be patient as the investigators gather more factual information.

1:30 pm -- The MTA has set up a family center for those seeking the status of loved ones who may have been aboard.  The MTA says JFK High School at 99 Terrace View Avenue in the Bronx has been established as the family center.  Anyone seeking information about loved ones can call 718-817-7444, or dial 311 within New York City.  Those outside the city can call 212-639-9675. 

1:35 pm -- The cause of the derailment remains under investigation.

1:41 pm -- WFUV is signing off this blog for the moment, but will update as warranted.  For the latest on Metro North train service on the Hudson Line click here.

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