Invasive Species Among Five New York City Transit Workers Killed During Track Maintenance, Union Officials Confirm
NEW YORK, NY – Five New York City Transit workers were fatally struck by an out-of-control train early Wednesday morning during routine track maintenance on the Upper West Side, marking the deadliest incident for the agency in decades. The incident, which occurred at approximately 2:15 a.m. in a tunnel near West 96th Street, has been classified as a tragic workplace accident. Union officials and transit authorities are now scrutinizing safety protocols as an invasive species of debris, including non-native vegetation and improperly stored equipment, was discovered on the tracks, officials said. National Transportation Safety Board investigators have recovered the train's data recorder. The workers have been identified as experienced employees with a combined tenure of over 60 years. The cause of the derailment remains under investigation, with a preliminary report expected within 10 days.