LIRR: Man hurt when his suitcase is hit by train

A man crossing the Long Island Rail Road tracks near the Sayville station came within inches of being hit by a passing train, but suffered only arm and elbow injuries when the train hit the suitcase he was pulling behind him, wrenching the luggage from his grip, the railroad said Friday.

The unidentified man told MTA police he "didn't think a train was coming" when he walked around the lowered safety gates at the Cherry Avenue crossing about 9:20 p.m. Thursday, the railroad said.

He was taken to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment of a compound fracture of the left forearm and a dislocated left elbow, the railroad said. The westbound train was not in passenger service at the time, and three other trains were delayed by the accident, the railroad said.

No charges were filed against the man, whose name was not released.