Metro-North New Haven Line Service Suspended After Trains Collide in CT

Written by Caitlin Mazzola 

Per Metro-North: the trains involved were the 4:41 p.m. from Grand Central Terminal and the 5:35 from New Haven, Union Station. Accident site between Fairfield Metro and Bridgeport stations.

Update, 7:55 p.m. 
WTNH reports Amtrak service between New York and Boston has been suspended indefinitely.

Update, 7:50 p.m. 
The latest from the Connecticut Department of Transportation: 
Service on the New Haven Rail Line has been suspended until further notice.       

At about 6:10 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2013,  a westboundtrain, the 4:41 p.m. train out of New Haven due at  Grand Central at 6:32 p.m, derailed just east of the Fairfield Metro station.  

In so doing, it hit an eastbound train on the adjacent track. Some cars of that train, the 5:30 p.m. out of New Haven due 7:18p.m., also derailed. 

Emergency personnel are on the scene and there are preliminary reports of injuries.

There is no Metro-North service between Stamford and New Haven, trains en route are being stopped at the nearest station.

Update, 7:45 p.m. 

At least 20 were injured in Friday's train derailment/collision along the Fairfield/Bridgeport line, emergency officials said.

No fatalities have been reported in connection to the incident,Fairfield Police spokesperson Lt. James Perez told NBC Connecticut. About 20-25 passengers were injured and taken to Bridgeport and St. Vincent's hospitals. 

One train derailed and collided with an oncoming train, Perez said. It is unknown at this time why the train derailed. 

Update, 7:36 p.m. 

The latest from Metro-North: 

"Service is suspended between South Norwalk and New Haven. Westbound service will originate out of South Norwalk making all stops to Grand Central Terminal. Eastbound service will make all stops to South Norwalk due to a derailment in the vicinity of Bridgeport. As more info becomes available we will notify you as soon as possible.  Please listen for announcements at your station." 

Update, 7:33 p.m. 

The collision scene is blocking Amtrak service on the Northeast corridor, per scanner reports. 

Update, 7:29 p.m. 

All Grand Central-bound trains from New Haven will not go beyond the Bridgeport station, according to Metro-North. 

All upper New Haven-line eastbound service will stop at South Norwalk. 

Fairfield resident Todd Chandler said via Twitter that the South Norwalk station is "in chaos."

Update, 7:09 p.m. 

The latest from Metro-North: 

"At this time no Westbound service is being provided beyond Bridgeport due to a train incident in the vicinity of Bridgeport.  Eastbound service will run to South Norwalk. As more information becomes available we will notify you as soon as possible.  Please listen for announcements at your station."

The wreck is on an elevated portion of the main line. 

Update, 7:05 p.m. 

Both trains are made up of M-8 cars. 

Update, 6:54 p.m. 

Eastbound train service is terminated at Greens Farm station in Westport. Metro North has not yet been able to secure buses to get passengers home. 

Original story

Two trains have collided near the Fairfield-Bridgeport line shortly after 6 p.m. Friday.     

According to scanner reports, one train derailed and collided with the other train. Multiple ambulances have been requested to the scene for injuries.   

Commerce Drive is shut down while first responders assess the scene.   

According to one Patch reader via Twitter, those trying to get home from points west of Norwalk were told all eastbound trains have been terminated at the Norwalk station.   

Passengers have been told to "find another way home."