Crime & Safety

Short Hills Woman, 62, Killed on Train Tracks

NJ Transit Police continue investigation Into early morning fatality at Short Hills station.

SHORT HILLS–NJ Transit and Millburn police are investigating the death of a 62-year-old woman early Tuesday morning on the tracks just west of the Short Hills train station.

Barbara Ann Sweeney of Short Hills was fatally struck by a Morris-Essex train while standing on the tracks at approximately 5 a.m., according to NJ Transit  officials.

"She did not attempt to move as the train approached," said NJ Transit spokeswoman Courtney Carroll.

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The train, the 4:16 a.m. from Dover, was due to arrive in New York City at 5:43 a.m. and was carrying 70 passengers, who transferred to another train. No injuries to passengers or train crew were reported, Carroll said.

The cause of death and whether the incident is a suicide will be made by the medical examiner’s office, Carroll said. NJ Transit Police are continuing their investigation, she said.

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Morning trains were delayed up to an hour, but were running on or close to schedule by mid-morning.

The area of the tracks west of the platform at the Short Hills Station does not have a fence, and residents and those familiar with the station say it is dangerous because people can get to it and often cross the tracks there, especially if they are running late for a train.

"I see it all the time," said Ahmed Okasha, who parks at the station most mornings before 6 a.m. and saw police working the investigation Tuesday. "Something should be done about that because it's so dangerous. People should not be able to get there or to cross there."


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