Update: Riverhead man struck by LIRR train in Riverhead

A man lying on the railroad tracks had his leg severed when he was struck by a westbound Long Island Rail Road train in downtown Riverhead Tuesday night, according to MTA police.

The incident occurred on the tracks near East Main Street and Riverside Drive, police said. MTA spokesman Sal Arena said the incident happened between 10:15 and 10:20 p.m.

Riverhead Town police said John Nullmeyer, 49, of Riverhead appeared to be lying on the tracks and made no effort to get out of the way as the train approached. The engineer spotted him and stopped the train, but was not able to avoid striking him.

Mr. Nullmeyer survived, but part of his right leg was severed and his left leg suffered serious injuries, MTA police said. He was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he underwent surgery, police said.

The 9:39 p.m. train from Greenport had been scheduled to arrive in Ronkonkoma at 11:02 p.m. There were three passengers aboard at the time of the incident, Mr. Arena said.

Photo Caption: Police on scene investigating the train incident near East Main Street and Riverside Drive Tuesday night. (Credit: Paul Squire)