Metro-North and Amtrak train service through New Haven, Conn., will remain suspended, perhaps for several days, authorities said Saturday, as investigators continued to seek the cause of a train derailment and collision during the Friday evening rush that injured at least 70 people, five of them critically.
The derailment and crash caused trains to plow through gravel and tracks, leaving twisted metal and debris strewn over 200 yards. Metal was torn, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., like "ribbons of cloth." Pictures from inside the trains showed the cars torn open, and carriages crushed.
Neither the Metropolitan Transportation Authority nor Amtrak could say when train service would be restored.
Some 125,000 people travel each day in the affected region, according to Aaron Donovan, a spokesman for the transportation authority.
"It's the busiest train line in the nation in terms of passenger volume," Donovan said. "Damage is significant to both tracks and overheard wires."
Officials offered a few indicators as to what caused the derailment of an eastbound train just east of the Fairfield Metro Station and the subsequent collision with a westbound train on an adjacent track.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the inquiry, said Saturday that its investigators had found a section of rail on the eastbound track that was fractured at a rail joint. It was not clear whether the fracture happened before or during the accident. But the track had undergone repairs in the last month, and the fracture was "of interest" the agency said.
The investigation will focus on the condition of the train, the track, the rail bed and signaling among other potential factors. The performance of the train crew will also be weighed.
Blumenthal credited new rail cars, which came into use in 2011, with potentially saving lives.
"The crashworthiness of the cars seemed to be surprisingly good," added Earl Weener, a member of the safety board. Sen. Chris Murphy said it was amazing there were not more serious injuries.
Of the 70 people treated at local hospitals, said Gov. Dannel Malloy, eight remained in their care, with three still in critical condition.
The derailment and crash caused trains to plow through gravel and tracks, leaving twisted metal and debris strewn over 200 yards. Metal was torn, said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., like "ribbons of cloth." Pictures from inside the trains showed the cars torn open, and carriages crushed.
Neither the Metropolitan Transportation Authority nor Amtrak could say when train service would be restored.
Some 125,000 people travel each day in the affected region, according to Aaron Donovan, a spokesman for the transportation authority.
"It's the busiest train line in the nation in terms of passenger volume," Donovan said. "Damage is significant to both tracks and overheard wires."
Officials offered a few indicators as to what caused the derailment of an eastbound train just east of the Fairfield Metro Station and the subsequent collision with a westbound train on an adjacent track.
The National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the inquiry, said Saturday that its investigators had found a section of rail on the eastbound track that was fractured at a rail joint. It was not clear whether the fracture happened before or during the accident. But the track had undergone repairs in the last month, and the fracture was "of interest" the agency said.
The investigation will focus on the condition of the train, the track, the rail bed and signaling among other potential factors. The performance of the train crew will also be weighed.
Blumenthal credited new rail cars, which came into use in 2011, with potentially saving lives.
"The crashworthiness of the cars seemed to be surprisingly good," added Earl Weener, a member of the safety board. Sen. Chris Murphy said it was amazing there were not more serious injuries.
Of the 70 people treated at local hospitals, said Gov. Dannel Malloy, eight remained in their care, with three still in critical condition.