(Updated: Tuesday) A westbound Long Island Rail Road train struck a pedestrian on the tracks just east of the Mill Road crossing just after 2 this afternoon.
David Canel, 26, of Old Quogue Road in Riverside was intoxicated and lying next to the tracks just east of the Mill Road railroad crossing when he was struck by the train shortly before 2 p.m., according to MTA Police.
Although, the train engineer blew his horn as soon as he spotted the trespasser in his path, the man later told police that he did not hear the warning, according to a statement from MTA police
MTA Police said that Canel suffered cuts to his head, left shoulder and left elbow, but was conscious when he was airlifted to University Hospital at Stony Brook to be treated for his injuries.
When detectives were later able to interviewed Canel at the hospital, he acknowledged that he had been drinking heavily and didn’t recall how he came to be lying – at least partially – on the tracks.
The incident train, the 1:11 p.m. train from Greenport was due to arrive at Ronkonkonma at 2:35 p.m. There were approximately 30 customers on the train, which resumed its trip 1 hour and 41 minutes behind schedule, according to the statement issued yesterday. (On Saturday an MTA spokesperson said the passengers had been transferred to a bus to continue their trip.)
Riverhead Police, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Riverhead Fire Department responded to the scene of the accident.
RVAC transported the victim to a landing zone behind Costco on Route 58, for transfer to a Suffolk Police aviation unit.
Mill Road was closed to traffic at West Main Street and J.T. Boulevard.
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