New York train crashed into Jeep leaves 7 dead, official says incident is the 'deadliest in Metro-North Railroad’s history'

A New York Metro-North Railroad train struck a Jeep Cherokee that was stopped on the tracks near suburban White Plains during rush hour on Tuesday evening, leaving seven dead and many more injured. The impact of the train caused both and Jeep and the front part of the train to burst into flames.

The train left Grand Central Station in New York City at 5:45 p.m., and the accident happened around 6:30 p.m. in the town of Valhalla, N.Y. about 20 miles north.

The female driver of the Jeep had stopped on the tracks at the Commerce Street crossing, around 30 miles north of New York City, at 6.30pm when the gate fell down on the back of the car, officials said. She reportedly got out of the car to examine the damage. She then got back in and tried to drive forward but was stuck. Seconds later, the train crashed into the vehicle, pushing it around 150 yards up the tracks.

The impact was so forceful the electrified third rail came up and pierced the train, officials said.

Meanwhile, at least 12 people were rushed to Westchester Medical Center with serious injuries, according to authorities. It is unknown whether the train's driver is among the victims. Although it was unclear how fast the train was going at the time, the maximum would have been 60mph, an official said.

"Horrific scene," Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino tweeted. "3rd rail totally through front train. Heavy fire and smoke damage. At least 7 dead and 10 hurt. Pray for the deceased."

The seven deaths make Tuesday's crash the deadliest in Metro-North Railroad's history, said Marjorie Anders, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Before the New York train crash on Tuesday night, the service's deadliest crash happened in December 2013, when four passengers were killed and more than 70 others were injured in a derailment on the Hudson Line at Spuyten Duyvil in the Bronx.