Train operator dead, 23 injured after NJ River Line train slams into tree on tracks

BURLINGTON COUNTY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — A train operator is dead and more than 20 people are injured after a New Jersey River Line train struck a tree in the tracks in Mansfield Township early Monday morning.

It happened around 6 a.m.

The front end of the train, including the windshield, was smashed in, and a large portion of the tree trunk was pinned under one corner of the front end; pieces of the tree and branches littered the track.

New Jersey transit says 23 people were hurt, mostly with minor injuries. First responders had to use a wooded access off Route 130 to get the victims to ambulances. Route 130 South was closed at the scene just south of Burlington Road.

Service in both directions between Trenton and Florence stations was suspended for hours as crews worked to clean everything up.

Gov. Phil Murphy says his thoughts are with those affected by the accident.

Stay with KYW as this story develops.