Car Pushes Stopped Car Into Path of LIRR Train on Long Island, 2 Hurt: Officials

Two people were injured when a car rear-ended a vehicle at a Long Island Rail Road crossing Thursday, pushing the vehicle through the crossing and into the path of the oncoming train, transit officials said.

The car that was hit was stopped at the train crossing in Riverhead shortly before 2 p.m. when another car rear-ended it, the MTA said. Both cars were hit by the train; photos of the scene showed a demolished minivan off to the side of the tracks; a smaller car was also seen with some damage.

Five people were in the cars that were hit. One person was airlifted to the hospital; another person was taken to a medical facility with minor injuries, authorities said. The other three weren't injured.

The MTA said the railroad gates were down at the crossing and its lights were functioning properly at the time of the accident. Some delays were reported on the rail line as authorities investigated.

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