Disturbed Man Taken Off Train Runs Onto Tracks In Woodside

Train traffic along the Long Island Rail Road's Main Line was brought to a halt early last Friday morning, Dec. 12 after an allegedly disgruntled passenger ran onto the tracks at the Woodside station, it was reported.

Police said the incident took place just before 1:45 a.m. at the stop located in the vicinity of Roosevelt Avenue and 61st Street.

According to law enforcement sources, the disturbed man allegedly became embroiled in a dispute with a conductor on board an eastbound train heading to Babylon.

Once the train made a stop in Woodside, authorities said, the conductor and railroad personnel escorted the man off the train.

Moments later, it was reported, the man ran onto the railroad tracks and attempted to touch the electrified third rail.

He then began to run along the tracks in an attempt to avoid capture.

Officers from the 108th Precinct and other emergency personnel were called to the scene. Service in both directions along the LIRR tracks was suspended for the duration of the incident.

The man was apprehended a short time later and taken by EMS units to Elmhurst Hospital Center for a psychiatric evaluation. As of press time, police sources said, no charges have been filed.

After the incident was brought under control, according to information provided by the LIRR, service was restored with delays of up to an hour on three trains heading to Penn Station and the Babylon-bound train.