(The following story by Charles Hack appeared on the Jersey Journal website on August 7.)
HOBOKEN, N.J. — A 6-year-old girl was in critical condition last night after being struck by a Hudson-Bergen Light Rail train yesterday morning, officials said.
The girl was hit by the train at 10:45 a.m. at the Ninth Street station in Hoboken, officials said.
The Hoboken girl, who suffered head injuries, was first taken to the trauma unit at Jersey City Medical Center and then transferred to UMDNJ. Officials declined to release the name of the victim or any details on her injuries.
The victim, who was with her mother at the time, was hit while at a level crosswalk at the south end of the station, officials said. According to reports, the child was crossing to a southbound train waiting at the platform when she was struck by a northbound train that was pulling into the station.
That train was traveling from the Hoboken Terminal to the Tonnelle Avenue North Bergen station, officials said.
“Fortunately she did not end up underneath train,” said NJ Transit spokesman Dan Stessel. “The train struck her, but she did not get run over. She ended up in the space between wheels of train and platform, where she was found.”
NJ Transit Police responded to the accident and the girl was taken to the hospital at 10:58 a.m., officials said.
Stessel said that the bells and flashing lights had been activated and her mother had stopped in time.
The train operator has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the conclusion of the NJ Transit Police investigation, which Stessel said normally takes two to three days.
“We believe the operator did everything possible to avoid this accident,” Stessel said. “This incident touches all of us at NJ Transit.”
Hoboken Police Department responded to the accident, but a spokesman said the department was unable to release information because investigation is being handled by the NJ Transit Police.
Third Ward Councilman Michael Russo said that the city would be following the case to see if anything needs to be done to improve safety at the station.
“Our prayers are with her and her family,” Russo said. “We wish them all the best.”