NEW YORK CITY — The Metro-North train crash that killed six people in Westchester Tuesday may have just been a freak accident, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Wednesday morning during a radio interview.
"I've also learned sometimes accidents just happen and sometimes there's nothing you can do in terms of design or lessons," Cuomo said during an interview on WCBS 880.
"It's just the randomness of life."
►INTERACTIVE TIMELINE OF METRO-NORTH CRASHES
Metro-North has been under scrutiny following a series of deadly accidents since 2013, including a December 2013 train derailment in The Bronx that left four passengers dead.
Tuesday's crash at a crossing in Valhalla was the fifth major accident on the railway since May 2013. They've left a total of 11 people dead and more than 500 injured.
A Federal Railroad Administration investigation found that a "deficient safety culture" led to the series of accidents.
Metro-North looked to placate worried train-riders with a statement issued on Wednesday.
“We want Metro-North’s customers to know that they can remain confident that their safety, and the safety of our employees, is always the first priority in everything we do," Joseph Giulietti, the president of Metro-North said.
Officials said it was too early to assign blame for the fatal collision. Cuomo called the incident "inexplicable" after describing the circumstances of last night's crash.
Cuomo explained that the vehicle, driven by a woman who died in the crash, stopped after getting hit by the warning gate, according to an eyewitness. The woman got out of her car to check on possible damage and then got back in the vehicle and pulled forward.
The train struck the car in the center of the vehicle. The Jeep "wrapped itself around the front of the train" and almost stayed attached to the train for 400 feet, said Cuomo.
Cuomo described what happened next with a tone of amazement.
"The car picked up the third rail on the other side of the crossing, lifted up the third rail, the third rail went though the car and through the floor of the train which we had never seen before. So the rail, literally came through the car," said Cuomo.
The third rail may have hit the Jeep's gas tank, the governor added.
"I don't know what design could possibly protect against that because look at all the variables," he added.
It's unclear if the gate or warning bells were malfunctioning, said Cuomo.
After the crash, the vehicle and the first car of the train burst into flames. About 400 people were able to escape through the back of the train.
Six people died at the scene, and 12 were transported to Westchester Medical Center, about two miles away.
Patients suffered from lacerations, contusions, fractures, dislocations smoke inhalation and burns, Ivan Miller, director of the emergency center, said. By Wednesday afternoon just one patient remained in critical condition and four had been released, a hospital official said.
Train service on the Harlem line was suspended Wednesday morning while the National Transportation Safety Board examined the scene. Cuomo said finding out what happened was the priority.
"I want to know, everybody wants to know exactly what happened so if something can be corrected we do correct it," said Cuomo.
The governor also sent condolences to the families of those killed in the crash and related the tragedy to the recent death of his father, Gov. Mario Cuomo.
"I recently lost my father. Even when you know it's coming, its devastating," said Cuomo. "To be caught by surprise like this, I can't even begin to imagine the pain."
