{"id":253493,"date":"2016-09-29T17:06:22","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T17:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=253493"},"modified":"2016-09-29T17:06:22","modified_gmt":"2016-09-29T17:06:22","slug":"new-jersey-train-disaster-kills-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2016\/09\/new-jersey-train-disaster-kills-one\/","title":{"rendered":"New Jersey train disaster ‘kills one’"},"content":{"rendered":"
At least one person has been killed and dozens injured, some of them critically, after a commuter train crashed into a railway station in the US state of New Jersey.<\/p>\n
The train reportedly went through ticket barriers and into the reception area of Hoboken station.<\/p>\n
Images show extensive damage to the train carriages and station, with part of the building roof caved in.<\/p>\n
Witnesses described a scene of horror at the station.<\/p>\n
A huge emergency services operation swung into action following the crash, with firefighters and transport staff helping people from wrecked carriages.<\/p>\n
A spokeswoman for New Jersey Transit, Jennifer Nelson, told reporters that 20 ambulances had arrived at the scene to take the injured to hospital.<\/p>\n
Hoboken is across the Hudson River from New York City. Many commuters use the busy station to travel into Manhattan.<\/p>\n
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie confirmed there had been one fatality. Earlier reports said three people had died.<\/p>\n
In 2008 the US Congress passed a law<\/a> requiring all trains to install Positive Train Control (PTC)<\/a> systems by the end of 2015.<\/p>\n But most rail companies were unable to meet the deadline as the system is expensive and complex to install. Some rail lines – including New Jersey Transit<\/a> – threatened to shut down completely if it was enforced. In response, Congressextended the deadline<\/a> to install PTC systems to 2018.<\/p>\n Rail lines can then apply for an additional two-year extension to finalise updates and test the system. But safety targets for New Jersey’s commuter trains say PTC installation should be completed by 2018.<\/p>\n