LIRR takes steps to prevent station gap tragedies

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is taking measures to prevent another tragedy following the death of a Minnesota teen who fell through a platform gap. Natalie Smead, 18, was struck by a train after

News 12 Staff

Aug 11, 2006, 10:51 PM

Updated 6,691 days ago

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The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is taking measures to prevent another tragedy following the death of a Minnesota teen who fell through a platform gap.
Natalie Smead, 18, was struck by a train after slipping through a 10-inch gap between the train and the Woodside station platform in Queens last Saturday. Now LIRR officials are installing video cameras at the Syosset station, which sports a 15-inch gap, so conductors can see if anyone falls onto the tracks.
Many commuters say the $1.5 million cameras are a waste of money and won?t prevent anyone from falling. LIRR officials say they will rely on flashing lights and verbal warnings to watch the gap until a more permanent solution is found. The LIRR says it hopes to have the Syosset cameras installed in a few months, and will begin to examine installing more cameras at other stations.
Related Information: Fatal LIRR accident raises safety concerns over station gaps