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Train crashes at Hoboken Terminal, Stevens sets up online check-in for students

img_8839A train crashed full speed into the Hoboken Terminal on Sept. 29 at approximately 8:45 a.m. The train started in Spring Valley, NY and was traveling through Hoboken on the Pascack Valley line.

Stevens setup a “Stevens Check-in” page on the intranet MyStevens portal for students to self-report themselves as “safe” and also report names of students they may have been concerned about.

A Stevens Alert went out at 9:20 a.m. about the Train Accident. An email announcement was sent out at 1:10 p.m. from Marybeth Murphy, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs with instructions for student, faculty, and staff. Students were told to contact Dean Nilsen if they had concerns about a fellow student. “All staff and faculty supervisors are asked to determine the status of all team members.  Please notify Human Resources … if you have any concerns about a colleague.” The Blue Line Stevens Shuttle was temporarily suspended, and the Red Line was rerouted. People were also instructed to avoid the area of Lackawanna Station

One Stevens student who was on the train provided information. “We entered the station and everything seemed normal,” said commuter student Omar Maamoun, “then I noticed we weren’t slowing down.”

Omar was aware of the speed and was only confused for a few moments before the train hit. “It sounded like an explosion. It felt like an explosion when it stopped,” he stated.

As the train was entering the station, many passengers were standing near the doors preparing to exit. The sudden stop threw them from their feet as the train crashed into the concrete barrier. Being in the middle of the second car, Omar was able to walk away from the crash with only a bruised arm. He remembers helping an older woman to her feet and out the emergency window after the crash.

“First responders were really quick. They said if you didn’t need medical attention, leave.” Omar took a few photos on his phone before leaving the terminal. Over twenty interviews with a variety of news stations awaited him as he left the station.

At 2 p.m., Governor Chris Christie held a press conference at Pier A in response to the crash. During his speech, the governor offered condolences to the injured victims and to the family of the one fatality. He also urged that no one jump to any conclusions, as the investigation to the cause of the crash is still very preliminary.

Investigation into the crash site is difficult as the train crashed through multiple structural support beams in its derailed and uncontrolled state. At this time, aside from the activities of Search and Rescue teams, much of the debris from the accident has remained untouched. In photos released, the train has become the support structure for the remaining part of the roof and wires attached. For more news and updates check your local news sources.

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