The crash occurred after a Long Island Rail train struck a vehicle on its way to Manhattan at 7.00pm local time (12.00am GMT). Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder speculated that the vehicle had tried to beat the train at the crossing. All three occupants of the vehicle died.
Passengers also reported that they had heard an explosion and saw a burst of fire.
Following the collision, Mr Ryder also confirmed that the train slammed into the platform and derailed as reported by local news station News 12 Long Island.
The train was heading for Ronkonkoma and had 200 passengers on it at the time.
Local authorities confirmed that only minor injuries have been reported so far concerning the passengers on the train.
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The train operator Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), confirmed that services between Ronkonkoma and Huntington Port/Port Jefferson branches have been suspended.
The LIRR also stated: “Service remains suspended on the Ronkonkoma and Huntington/Port Jefferson Branches in both directions following a collision between a train and a motor vehicle at the School Street crossing in Westbury.
“Police and emergency personnel are on scene.
“We advise customers to take alternate branches including the Babylon, Hempstead, Montauk and Oyster Bay branches.
“We will provide more information as it becomes available.”
More to follow…