New York City

Service Restored on LIRR West Hempstead Branch Hours After Train Hits Car

Service on the Long Island Rail Road's West Hempstead branch resumed Monday afternoon following an hours-long suspension after a train hit a car near the Westwood Station, the MTA said. 

Police in Malverne said they got a call about the accident shortly after 7 a.m. Units were at the scene assessing the situation a short time later, and the LIRR said crew members were investigating possible damage to the third rail. 

Necessary repairs were made, and service was restored in both directions by about 1 p.m. 

The LIRR says preliminary reports indicate the crossing gate was down and the driver went around it. The driver was taken to a hospital in unknown condition. Nobody on the New York City-bound train was hurt.

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