LIRR Train Derailment Latest: 103 Injured at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, Investigation Underway

BROOKLYN, NY — A Long Island Rail Road train coming from Far Rockaway derailed Wednesday morning at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn near Barclays Center when it hit a bumping block at the end of the track, leaving at least 103 people injuries that are not life-threatening, the New York City Fire Department said.

As the six-car train with about 430 people on board pulled into the station, it didn't stop in time and ran over the bumping block, derailing the lead wheel assembly and one axle, the MTA said. The worst of the injuries was a broken leg, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, and patients were sent to Brooklyn Hospital, Methodist Hospital and Kings County Hospital.

"Accidents happen," Cuomo told reporters Wednesday. "We have been through a number of them over the past few years. Many of them, frankly, we were not this lucky. This is a relatively minor accident, luckily."

The derailment caused heavy traffic on the streets surrounding Atlantic Terminal as authorities were on the scene. The MTA said no LIRR delays were expected during the p.m. rush hour.

The Federal Railroad Administration has spoken with the MTA, and NTSB investigators arrived in New York City around 6 p.m. The train's conductor and brakeman were being held and will be interviewed as part of the investigation.

"Once you’re at that point and you’re at that speed it’s primarily the locomotive engineer’s responsibility to control the train," MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast told reporters. "There’s a signal system that controls it coming in at limited speeds. But when you’re getting to the end it’s the locomotive engineer’s responsibility. And the train’s brakes have to work. All those things have to be looked at in the investigation."

Tweets from the scene showed damage to the train, including seats off their base and windows shattered. Parts of the platform appeared to have suffered some damage, too. One person said it appeared the train "didn't stop at the end of the platform."

Cuomo was spotted on site about an hour after the derailment:

One video from the street level showed firefighters carrying a stretcher:

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Lead image via Steven Zundell, used with permission