1 dead, 20 injured as NJ River Line train crashes into tree – NBC10 Philadelphia

A fallen tree on the tracks caused an accident on a New Jersey Transit River Line train in Mansfield early Monday morning, killing one person – the train driver – and injuring at least 20 others, officials said.

According to law enforcement officials, the incident occurred around 6:03 a.m. when a River Line train crashed into a fallen tree in Mansfield, Burlington County, New Jersey.

A train driver was killed and at least 20 people were injured after a train struck a NJ Transit River Line train in Mansfield Township, Burlington County. NBC10's Siobhan McGirl has the latest details on this developing story.

At least one person was killed and another 20 suffered minor injuries, officials said.

Police officials said a news conference was scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to provide more information about the incident. The event will be livestreamed at the top of this story.

Shortly before 9 a.m., New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy confirmed that the deceased was the train driver.

I was informed of an accident on @NJTRANSIT_RL This morning the light rail train crashed into a tree on the tracks, resulting in the death of the train driver and injuries to passengers.

An investigation is underway. Our prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragic incident.

– Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) October 14, 2024

However, officials have not yet provided any further identifying information about the person killed.

Norris Young, who told NBC10 he was a passenger on the train, said the train hit “a huge tree” in the morning accident.

“There was a tree on the track. I don’t know if he fell on the track or if he was just laying on the rail tree,” Young said. “There was a huge tree on the track.”

Read in Spanish here.

He told NBC10's Siobhan McGirl that he saw other passengers injured – including people who were shaken, some with open wounds and at least one passenger being taken away on a stretcher.

“It was like a movie,” he said. “I'm still shocked. Someone lost their life.”

In the morning, River Line service was suspended in both directions between Roebling and Bordentown stations due to fallen trees on the tracks near Roebling.

An investigation is ongoing, officials said.

This is breaking news. It will be updated as new information becomes available.