Updated: MBTA Commuter Rail riders evacuate in West Acton after mishap
Riders emerged from the train into single-digit temperatures and made their way past a SUV with its front bumper hanging off.
Commuter Rail passengers found themselves scrambling for another way home from Acton Wednesday night after a mishap involving a car at the Conant Street crossing.
MBTA Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan told The Acton Bridge that the agency was investigating the incident, which had no reported injuries.
In response to Bridge questions, Sullivan said in an email that the “vehicle was partially on the tracks and was struck by [the] train” at approximately 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, and that the gate was operating properly. He said no charges would be filed in the incident.
Riders emerged from the train into single-digit temperatures and made their way past the car, which sat behind the closed gate with its front bumper askew.
Emergency crews were summoned to the West Acton site of the stopped train, which was traveling outbound from Boston’s North Station to Fitchburg, but the trip ended due to “a road vehicle on the right of way,” according to an MBTA social media post.
Officials said a second train was en route and “passengers will be accommodated.”
Many weren’t sticking around to find out.
A steady stream of travelers hiked down Conant toward Laws Brook Road, phones in hand, or waited amid the snowdrifts for their rides to come.
Standing in a wash of emergency lights, passenger Aliyah Elkhabaz said the drama would probably help double what can be a two-hour commute home to Fitchburg from her job as a passenger service agent at Logan Airport.
“I was literally sleeping the entire time,” Elkhabaz, 24, said of the ill-fated train ride, which saw delays right from the start. “I woke up in the middle of this.”
At first, “they didn’t even want to let us out,” she told The Bridge. After a wait, she said, she was able to leave the train.
Acton police and firefighters, MBTA Transit Police, and rail operator Keolis were on scene.
Police announced that Conant Street would be closed between Domino Drive and Damon Street “until further notice.” An emailed notification declared the road open to traffic again at 10:39 p.m.
CPD Capt. Brian Goldman said the incident was “believed to be minor” with no injuries, but referred questions to Transit Police.
Workers loaded the damaged car onto a flatbed truck and hauled it away just after 8 p.m.
A previous incident at the Conant Street rail crossing left a driver with minor injuries, Acton Fire reported at the time. A Commuter Rail train hit the car in that February 2025 collision, pushing the vehicle onto the sidewalk.
11:07 p.m.: This breaking story has been updated.
