(The following article by Joie Tyrrell was posted on Newsday.com on October 20.)
NEW YORK — A 17-year employee of the Long Island Rail Road was struck and killed by an eastbound train outside Copiague Monday while working on the tracks.
Joseph Boyd, 41, of Babylon, was an electric traction employee who worked as a flagman alerting his fellow crew members to oncoming trains, said LIRR spokesman Brian Dolan. His crew was about to start work on the third rail on the tracks east of the Copiague station when he was struck.
“He was the best brother, uncle and son anyone could ever have,” his sister, Judy Griffin, of Rockville Centre, said Monday. “We’re just devastated.”
Boyd was struck at 10:21 a.m. in Copiague as the train from Penn Station traveled toward Babylon, due in at 10:27 a.m.
According to Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Det. Sgt. Kim Riley, Boyd was standing on the north track, which often handles westbound trains but also serves eastbound trains as well.
As the eastbound train approached, Boyd pointed to the south track and sounded his air horn to alert the crew, Riley said. But the train came up on the north track behind Boyd, striking him. His crew ran to assist him.
“We believe he misjudged it,” Riley said. “It was an unfortunate accident. He was a very well-loved employee on the railroad.”
Riley said there were about 60 people on board the train, but no injuries on board were reported. Service was suspended between Massapequa Park and Babylon with buses replacing trains for those stations. Service was restored as of 11:15 a.m.
Dolan said the railroad is investigating the accident.
“The railroad extends its condolences to Mr. Boyd’s family, friends and co-workers,” Dolan said.
Boyd was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 589.
“He was a member of good standing. He was a good employee,” said Rick Sanchez, union president. “We’re going to look into it. We want to know the circumstances.”