LIRR: Service restored on Ronkonkoma Branch after train strikes, kills person

Police and emergency officials at the LIRR Farmingdale station Friday... — Police and emergency officials at the LIRR Farmingdale station Friday after a train hit a person west of Farmingdale, railroad officials said. Credit: John Scalesi

By Joan Grallajoan.gralla@newsday.com JoanGrallaJanuary 31, 2020

Long Island Rail Road service on the Ronkonkoma Branch has been restored in both directions after it was halted earlier Friday when a train fatally struck someone west of Farmingdale, a railroad spokeswoman said.

An eastbound non-passenger train hit the person, a male, at the Merritts Road crossing at 9:10 a.m., the spokeswoman said. The person was confirmed dead by MTA police, the spokeswoman said, adding that it appears no criminality was involved.

Trains were suspended around 9:15 a.m. and service resumed at 10:25 a.m., according to the railroad.

The LIRR said service was operating on or close to schedule.

By Joan Gralla and Ted Phillips

joan.gralla@newsday.com JoanGralla

Joan Gralla is a general assignment reporter who also covers parks, flood control and Holocaust restitution. She's a former Reuters correspondent who covered politics, economics and markets.

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