Metro-North train car in flames following collision with car [photos]; Update: At least six dead

A collision with a car in Valhalla, N.Y., sparked a fire on a packed Metro-North train car Tuesday night, resulting in multiple injuries.

NBC New York reports:

The train was going northbound on the Harlem line when it struck the vehicle at the Commerce Street crossing at about 6:30 p.m., pushing the car about 150 yards up the track, officials said.

…

A hospital clerk at Westchester Medical Center told NBC News there were numerous injuries from the crash and that the hospital was preparing for a mass casualty scenario. Three patients have already arrived, and staffers were expecting and preparing for many more.

Photos from the nighttime crash were dramatic, to say the least.

https://twitter.com/passantino/status/562771964369321984

Live video from SkyFoxHD: Metro-North train collides with vehicle on tracks in Valhalla NY >> http://t.co/PFl9VGw9QA pic.twitter.com/umSvAirhNQ

— Fox5NY (@fox5ny) February 4, 2015

Train on fire after NY Metro-North commuter train hits car http://t.co/wssozno0Ge pic.twitter.com/h7DCENEJBe

— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 4, 2015

BREAKING: 'Mass casualty incident' as @MetroNorth train hits car. http://t.co/g0N1YwkCgk pic.twitter.com/KfqRWUQrwr

— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) February 4, 2015

Multiple injuries reported after crash involving Metro-North train near White Plains, NY: http://t.co/Vg2tiuwEJh pic.twitter.com/WUjIsZzlr6

— Pamela Marrache (@PamelaMarrache) February 4, 2015

NOW: @MetroNorth Harlem line fire near #Valhalla station – just west of Greenwich – shows burned out train. pic.twitter.com/bNaziMXpDN

— newsbell (@newsbell) February 4, 2015

Witness: multiple injuries after North Metro train hits a vehicle near Valhalla, Chopper 12 over scene now#news12wc pic.twitter.com/hJR6JRfvUq

— Naveen Dhaliwal (@NaveenABC7) February 4, 2015

LIVE PICS: Metro North train and car collide; explosion, fire reported. http://t.co/OO3VSNaXD2 pic.twitter.com/2m0P0qOIdU

— WPEC CBS12 News (@CBS12) February 4, 2015

Ironically, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) tweeted this just two hours before the accident.

ABC News reports that at least six people were killed in the collision, including five passengers on the train and the driver of the Jeep Cherokee that was stopped on the tracks. “The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the gates came down on top of the vehicle at the crossing, which was stopped on the tracks,” ABC News reports. “The driver got out to look at the rear of the car, then she got back in and drove forward and was struck.”

Scary photo of train accident in Valhalla via @lohud http://t.co/u93RKDbMnu pic.twitter.com/NqQDtvCZvt

— Anthony Quintano (@AnthonyQuintano) February 4, 2015

My deepest appreciation goes out to the first responders for their efforts on the scene at the @MetroNorth crash. pic.twitter.com/V5CQ84WryA

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) February 4, 2015

We pray for those lost & injured tonight & laud the first responders who came to the Metro North crash scene so quickly.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 4, 2015

My thoughts & prayers are with the families who lost loved ones in tonight's tragic @MetroNorth accident. Thank you to all first responders.

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) February 4, 2015

This heartbreaking @MetroNorth tragedy is deeply alarming. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. -RB

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) February 4, 2015

An immediate investigation into the @MetroNorth crash is necessary. I've urged action from @USDOTFRA—we need the facts right away. -RB

— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) February 4, 2015