Seven people die in train crash in New York

(Vatican Radio) Seven people have been killed in the deadliest crash in the history of New York’s Metro-North Railroad. The commuter train struck a Jeep Cherokee on the tracks north of New York City at the railroad crossing in Valhalla, killing the driver of the SUV and six passengers.

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``This is a truly ugly and brutal site,'' said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Officials said the SUV's driver had gotten out of her vehicle after the crossing's safety gates came down around her. She then got back in, and was hit as she tried to move forward.

The crash caused the third rail, which carries 750 volts of direct current, to burst through the floor of the first car of the train, burning the carriage.

``You have seven people who started out today to go about their business and aren't going to be making it home tonight,'' said Gov. Cuomo said.