Amtrak worker hit by LIRR train & injured

BRYAN SMITH FOR NEW YORK DAILY

Accident occurred near East River tunnel in Queens

An Amtrak worker was seriously injured early Friday after he was hit by a Long Island Rail Road train, officials said.

The worker, whose name was not immediately released, was on an eastbound LIRR track near the East River tunnel in Long Island City, Queens, when he was hit by a train coming from Penn Station about 3:45 a.m., the MTA said.

The worker was conscious and alert when he was taken to Elmhurst Hospital with serious, but not life-threatening, injuries, officials said.

The MTA confirmed that Amtrak has been doing work inside the East River tunnel for several weeks but that it was unclear why the worker was on the tracks outside the tunnel.

"We're not sure at this point exactly why he was on the tracks," said Sal Arena, an MTA spokesman. Arena said the worker was hit just beyond the exit of the tunnel.

The Port Washington-bound train had passengers, who were delayed more than an hour and were later transferred to another train. The track was shut down for most of the morning as the MTA, Amtrak and other authorities investigated. Several lines were affected, with delays on the Port Washington, Oyster Bay, Ronkonkoma and Huntington lines during the morning rush.

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