Accident in Island Park causes LIRR delays

Downed communications wires at the Island Park train station shut down the Long Beach branch of the Long Island Rail Road for a few hours during peak travel times on June 27.

According to MTA spokesman Salvatore Arena, at approximately 7:45 a.m., a truck hit two LIRR communications poles, knocking one onto the Island Park platform, blocking tracks and knocking wires down onto the track crossing at Long Beach Road, shutting the road down as well. No one was hurt. The road was closed until about 1 p.m.

The accident canceled the 7:39 and 8:03 trains out of Long Beach and also caused trains coming into Long Beach to be rerouted. Passengers heading eastbound to Long Beach got off at the Valley Stream station and took busses the rest of the way.

Service was technically restored westbound at 8:03, but there was only one track operating, causing residual delays. The westbound 8:08 and 8:38 trains from Long Beach were combined.

Trains were fully operational again at 9:30.