An NJ Transit light rail operator was killed, and 23 passengers were injured when a southbound River Line train collided with a tree on the tracks in Burlington County early Monday morning, officials confirmed.
The accident occurred at 6:04 a.m. just north of the Roebling station in Florence, according to NJ Transit officials. Of the 42 passengers on board, 23 were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The number of injured passengers was revised multiple times throughout the morning as investigators arrived at the scene.
In the wake of the crash, NJ Transit suspended service between Trenton and Florence, and substitute bus services were made available to affected commuters. Officials are currently investigating how the tree ended up on the tracks, leading to the fatal accident.
As a result of the crash, a portion of Route 130 south in Burlington Township was closed, according to local police.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy acknowledged the tragic incident in a statement posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), saying, “I have been briefed on an accident on NJ Transit River Line Light Rail earlier today in which the light rail struck a tree on the tracks, leading to the death of the train operator and injuring passengers. An investigation is underway. Our prayers are with all affected by this tragic incident.”
This crash comes just days after another NJ Transit light rail incident in Burlington Township, in which four passengers and the operator were injured when a train collided with a truck on Friday.