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Metro-North Explains Train Delays From Death Of Student On Tracks

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. — Metro-North has offered an explanation for the long delays for commuters on Monday after a teenage boy was struck by a train in the Bronx, N.Y. 

Grand Central Terminal was in chaos with hourlong delays on Monday evening.

Grand Central Terminal was in chaos with hourlong delays on Monday evening.

Photo Credit: Greg Daughtery

The teenager, a student at Fordham Prep, was hit by a train at the Botanical Garden Station in the Bronx at about 3:30 p.m. Monday, shortly before the start of the evening rush hour.

Delays of over an hour were reported across the New Haven and Harlem lines as well as on the Danbury, Waterbury and New Canaan branches. Those delays persisted for hours.  

"This tragedy initially took all four tracks out of service in a critical section of track used by our Harlem and New Haven Lines, as emergency personnel, including personnel from FDNY, EMS and Metro-North, responded," Metro-North said in a statement.

"At the start of the rush hour two tracks were returned to service, but we were unable to stop Harlem or New Haven trains at any Bronx stations."

Trains operated at significantly reduced speeds to protect emergency response personnel, Metro-North said, resulting in significant train congestion and delaying train service into and out of Grand Central. 

With trains delayed getting into Grand Central, fewer trains were available for service out of Grand Central. This caused crowded conditions in Grand Central as Metro-North canceled and combined trains.

"We realize that the commute home was fraught with delays, congestion and crowded conditions," Metro-North said. "We thank you for your patience and your understanding as we attempted to provide the best service possible during an extremely difficult situation."

The teenager who appears to have jumped in front of a Metro-North train in the Bronx is the second Fordham Prep student to die this way in less than a month, police said.

Another Fordham Prep student, and Sleepy Hollow resident, jumped in front of a Metro-North train on Jan. 11 at the Philipse Manor Train Station in Westchester County, N.Y. Both incidents are believed to be suicides. 

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