20 to 25 injured as commuter trains collide in Connecticut after 'major derailment'

The railroad says the accident involved a New York-bound train leaving New Haven, Conn. It derailed and hit a westbound train near Fairfield, Conn. Some cars on the second train also derailed.

FAIRFIELD, Conn.— Two commuter trains collided outside New York City during the evening rush hour today, injuring 20 or more people, authorities said. There were no reports of fatalities.

The Metro-North Railroad, a commuter line serving the northern suburbs, referred in a news release to a “major derailment” near Fairfield, in southern Connecticut. It said emergency workers were at the scene of the accident, which came shortly after 6 p.m.

Twenty to 25 people were injured, Fairfield Police Officer Matt Panilaitis told The Associated Press. He said there were no fatalities.

Photos taken at the scene showed a train car askew on the rails, with its end smashed up and brushing against another train

The railroad said the accident involved a New York-bound train leaving New Haven. It derailed and hit a westbound train near Fairfield. Some cars on the second train also derailed.

“At this stage, we don’t know if this is a mechanical failure, an accident or something deliberate,” Fairfield police spokesman Lt. James Perez told the Connecticut Post.