2 People Struck, Killed By LIRR Train In Hollis, Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Two people were struck and killed by a Long Island Rail Road train in Hollis, Queens.
It happened shortly before 3 a.m. Thursday at Jamaica Avenue and 193rd Street about 150 yards from the platform.
The train, which was headed to Penn Station from Ronkonkoma, was held at the scene. More than 100 riders were then transferred to another train that left the station about an hour later.
Many neighborhood residents and commuters were shaken up after hearing what happened.
"This is surprising," resident Kiaeem Thomas told CBS2's Andrea Grymes. "I didn't think anything like this would happen."
2 People Struck, Killed By LIRR Train In Hollis, Queens
"This is sad, really sad," resident Lord Nez said. "I just hope it's someone I don't know."
There's no word yet what the two people who were killed, a man and a woman, were doing before they were hit. Residents say the area is a known hangout for young people, WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported.
"A lot of people be up there on the train just playing, smoking, drinking," resident Christopher Artwell said. "It's a little hangout spot."
Residents said a similar incident happened two years ago in the same spot when a man and woman committed suicide by jumping in front of a speeding train.
"Same location, two young people, a male and a female, did the same thing," Thomas told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck. "I live right up the block, I take this every day and right there, that's gut-chilling."
2 People Struck, Killed By LIRR Train In Hollis, Queens
More than 30 LIRR trains were delayed up to 30 minutes during the morning rush as police investigated, but service was restored shortly before 8 a.m.
Westbound service for Queens Village and Hollis was also suspended for a time, but has since been restored.
Police have not yet released the identities of the two people who were killed.
