Abington town manager blasts MBTA following deadly crashes along commuter rail line

ABINGTON, Mass. — Abington’s town manager is blasting the MBTA two days after a deadly crash along the commuter rail line.

“In the three years I’ve been here, I want to say this is the fourth fatality, and not once has anybody from the MBTA reached out to me or anyone in town to say they realize we have a problem here,” Abington Town Manager Scott Lambiase said.

Abington’s Board of Selectmen sent a letter to MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng this week asking for help making safety improvements along Abington’s seven commuter rail crossings. According to the board, Wednesday’s crash on Birch St. was the 19th along the Kingston Commuter Rail Line, and the sixth overall death.

“Of the 751 railroad grade crossings in…Massachusetts, Abington’s North Ave. and Birch St. crossings are in the top 20 of the most dangerous crossings in the Commonwealth,” the board said.

Lambiase hired transportation safety consultants in 2022 to study the town’s railroad crossings following the death of 18-year-old Katelyn McCarthy in May. The Abington High School senior was hit and killed by a commuter rail train at Birch St. while walking across the tracks with a friend.

In March, engineers from TrafInfo recommended the town and MBTA update all signs and pavement markings, install pedestrian gates in certain areas to prevent people from trying to walk across, and improve lighting.

An MBTA spokesperson said the crossings in Abington meet federal standards and are equipped with flashing lights, bells and gates.

“Motorists should never attempt to “beat a train” when they see the crossing lights flashing and motorists should never drive around lowered gates. If pedestrians need to cross a railroad, they should use only designated crossings, look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping,” MBTA Spokesperson Joe Pesaturo said in an email.

But Lambiase said the town needs the MBTA’s cooperation to avoid future crashes and injuries.

“I think we absolutely need the MBTA’s help,” Lambiase said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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