Operator killed in New Jersey train crash was single mom-of-3 as family plan legal action

An operator killed in a New Jersey train crash has been identified as a single mom-of-three as the family announce they plan to take legal action.

Jessica Haley was killed in the crash on Monday morning in the accident on the New Jersey River Line Light Rail track near US 130 when the train struck a tree near Roebling Station. Haley, a single mom to three sons, died from her injuries after reports claim the tree collapsed of top of the train - injuring six others.

On Tuesday the family released a statement via representing attorney Kila Baldwin, saying: "The family is understandably devastated and intends to pursue this matter to the fullest extent of the law to prevent anyone from ever suffering the same fate."

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Jessica's sister Rebecca Haley, also a train operator, said trees obstructing the route have been a worry for years, adding that "other trains had hit downed trees in recent years."

Many use New Jersey River Line Light Rail each day. It connects the cities of Camden and Trenton, New Jersey's capital. It is so named because its route between the two cities is parallel to the Delaware River.

The River Line fleet comprises 20 articulated Swiss-built Stadler GTW 2/6 DMU (diesel multiple unit) cars. The River Line became the first light rail system in the United States to use these instead of more typical electric vehicles.

It opened in 2004 and runs the 34 miles north to south between Camden and Trenton. Bordentown is near the northern tip of the line, and is approximately 10 miles from Trenton.

Photographs show a train carriage with front-end damage stopped on the tracks in front of some debris. One local reporter has tweeted an image, part of a clip aired on news channels across the US.

He added: "1 dead, 6 injured, 45 passengers on board this River Line train this morning. It crashed after part of a tree fell across the tracks. River Line suspended between Roebling & Bordentown."

Family attorney Baldwin added: "It is the duty of all companies who operate trains to ensure the tracks are clear for the safety of everyone on those trains, including the operators of the trains, like Ms. Haley," Baldwin said. "This never should have happened, and we will be investigating the case carefully to hold all responsible parties accountable."