A Metro-North Railroad train struck a pickup truck Wednesday morning at the Commerce Street grade crossing, trapping the driver in the crushed vehicle.
The driver was extricated from the pickup by Norwalk firefighters and transported by ambulance to Norwalk Hospital. The Fire Department said he was in serious condition.
The accident on the railroad’s Danbury Branch occurred at 11:23 a.m., according to Joana Flores, media liaison in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s press office. The MTA is Metro-North’s parent company.
A diesel-electric locomotive was pushing the three-car train southbound toward the South Norwalk train station when the accident occurred.
The lead passenger car pushed the truck from the location of the crossing gates onto the property of Devine Brothers.
A broadcast by a member of the Fire Department’s rescue squad said one person was pinned in the pickup truck.
A cellphone video of the accident scene provided to Nancy On Norwalk appears to confirm the pickup had a lone male occupant. The video shows employees of Devine Bros. vigorously attempting to assist the driver immediately after the accident and before first responders arrived.
Devine Bros. produces and delivers concrete and heating fuel.
The Fire Department said in a news release that approximately 20 passengers were aboard the train and none of them were injured.
Commerce Street was closed after the accident between Wall Street and Chapel Street. It was reopened at 3:09 p.m., police said.
Service on the Danbury Branch was suspended, with the railroad providing bus service. It resumed with the 4:15 p.m. train from South Norwalk to Danbury. However, there were speed restrictions through the area and customers were advised to anticipate 10-15 minute delays.
The MTA Police Dept. is conducting an investigation of the accident.
[This story will be updated as details become available.]
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