ENN is receiving numerous reports of a commuter train crash in Secaucus, NJ. The crash reportedly occurred at approx. 08:40EST this morning. According to Dan Jerrard of UMDNJ, numerous mutual aid Fire and EMS services are either enroute or on the scene of the head-on crash.
At least three people are reported dead in the accident, and more than 150 are injured. Several people had to be extricated from the mangled wreakage. Rescue efforts were complicated by the fact that the accident and derailment occurred in a swampy area with no immediately accessable roads. A State police helicopter did respond, and landed in a nearby area. Firefighters and paramedics then hand-carried two critical patients to the copter, by transversing a thirty foot embankment. At least 73 patients were reported taken to a number of hospitals by various EMS units
According to a Jersey City emergency dispatcher, an EMS ambulance that was responding to the train crash was involved in a "head-on" accident with a school bus. Both EMT's from the ambulance were seriously injured with possible fractures. Both were taken to Jersey City Medical Center trauma center. The number of injuries on the bus, if any, is unknown at this time.
New Jersey Govenor Christy Whitman reportedly also responded by helicopter to the scene, which is located four miles west of New York City and near both Jersey City and Hoboken. Several key commuter trains are reportedly shut down and thousands of commuters are stranded by the blocked rail lines.
No cause for the accident has been established, and a Jersey City Police Capt. told ENN that a major investigation is ensueing.