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Train Slams Into Car On Tracks For Danbury Branch In Norwalk

NORWALK, Conn. — No injuries were reported when a northbound train slammed into an "unauthorized" car on the tracks of Metro-North's Danbury Branch near a boatyard in Norwalk on Tuesday afternoon, train officials said.

A Danbury-bound train slammed into a car on the tracks at a private grade crossing in Central Norwalk on Tuesday afternoon.

A Danbury-bound train slammed into a car on the tracks at a private grade crossing in Central Norwalk on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo Credit: Jay Polansky
A Danbury-bound train hit a car on the tracks at a private grade crossing on Railroad Place in Norwalk on Tuesday.

A Danbury-bound train hit a car on the tracks at a private grade crossing on Railroad Place in Norwalk on Tuesday.

Photo Credit: Google Maps

The accident occurred at a private crossing on Railroad Place, off Commerce Street, in central Norwalk, said Meredith Daniels, a Metro-North spokesman. The site is along the Norwalk River, just north of the Stepping Stones Museum for Children near a boatyard.

"There were no injuries reported on the train or to the occupant of the car," Daniels said. About 50 customers were on the train — the 1:04 p.m. out of Grand Central — when the accident occurred, she said. 

A bus was sent to accommodate those passengers and take them to their final destinations, Daniels said. A tow truck was in the process of removing the car from the tracks at about 4 p.m., she said.

Metro-North personnel were on the scene of the crash Tuesday afternoon, and a CTTransit Express bus was there to pick up the train passengers. 

Trains are not running on the Danbury branch. Substitute buses have been sent for the passengers due to take the 3:17 p.m. train from Danbury to South Norwalk, but that service is running 70 yo 80 minutes late or more, Daniels said. 

The accident occurred between the South Norwalk station and the Merritt 7 station, on the Danbury branch rails, which is not on the main New Haven Line. 

Daniels said it was not clear why the car was on the tracks, and she would not know why until the investigation was complete. 

"When the tow truck gets the car off the tracks, we need to check for damage to the rail," she said. 

"Don't stop on the grade crossing," Daniels said. "Thank God there were no injuries, just an inconvenience to customers."

Bus will making all stops between Danbury and South Norwalk. Train riders should listen for announcements at their stations.

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