One dead, 108 hurt in New Jersey train crash: NJ governor
A packed commuter train ploughed into a station in New Jersey during the morning rush hour, killing one person and injuring 108, some of them critically, the state's governor said.
By : migrator
Update: 2016-09-30 03:19 GMT
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said the train entered the station at Hoboken 'at a high rate of speed' and 'crashed through the barriers, bringing it into the interior wall' of the terminal.
A woman who was standing on the platform was hit and killed by debris from the crash, Christie told the news conference. She was the only confirmed fatality.
The train's driver was in serious condition and being treated at a local hospital but was cooperating with the crash probe, he said.
"We have no indication that this is anything but a tragic accident," Christie said, adding that an investigation was underway.
Video and photos on social media showed major damage to the transit choke point just over the Hudson river from Manhattan, with the train tangled in wires and debris from what appeared to be caved in portions of the roof.
The Hoboken terminal is a major transfer point for New Jersey trains and buses, as well as ferries and the PATH commuter train that take passengers to New York.
Kenneth Garay, chief medical officer at Jersey City medical center, said its surgeons were 'all hands on dec' as they treated patients suffering from broken bones internal injuries and lacerations.
"None at this point are life-threatening. They're critical and stable and being carefully monitored," he told CNN.
Garay said that another 40 people were transported from the train station by bus to be treated for 'walking types of injuries.'
Christie said he had been contacted by the White House and was working with federal, state and local authorities to make sure this investigation is seamless and coordinated.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she 'was terribly upset this morning.'
"It's a horrible accident," the former New York senator said at a campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa. "I just want to send our thoughts and prayers."
Donald Trump also expressed his sympathies with the victims on Twitter.
"My condolences to those involved in today's horrible accident in NJ and my deepest gratitude to all of the amazing first responders," the Republican candidate said.
Alongside Christie was New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who canceled his trip to Israel for the funeral of Peace Prize Winner Shimon Peres.
"These are difficult times over these past weeks and months, between terrorist attacks and natural disasters," said Cuomo, referring to a recent string of bombings in New York in New Jersey.
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