Initial investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the Tuesday night accident of the Metro-North commuter train found that about 400 feet of its electrified third rail sliced through the first car of the train after it plowed through a car that was stopped on its track.

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The driver of the Mercedes SUV stalled near Valhalla in New York was killed, reports ABC.

NTSB Vice Chairman Robert Sumwalt said the train dragged the SUV 1,000 down the tracks. At the same time, the third rail hit the first passenger cabin of the train and broke apart in 80-foot segments that piled up in the first cabin and reached also part of the second cabin.

The impact of the train hitting the car caused a fire. The resulting blaze was so intense due to the strong force from the impact of the train on the car, plus the gasoline from the SUV, Sumwalt said. It burned the first rail car's entire interior and partially the second car.

The SUV was driven by Ellen Brody, 49, from Edgemont, New York, who has three children.

One eyewitness said the rail's crossing gate came down on the SUV, which caused the driver to get out of her car to lift the gate. She returned to her car but drove forward into the path of the approaching train instead of backing off.

Sumwalt said the NTSB team would stay in the crash site for about five to seven days to gather testimonies from witnesses and collect evidence that could perish or disintegrate as time passes, including downloading the recorders in place on the tracks.

The 12 people who were hurt in the train accident were brought to Westchester Medical Center, with one in critical condition and another in serious condition. Their injuries were lacerations, contusions, fractures, smoke inhalation and burns.

Except for one victim, all who were killed by the collision were burnt beyond recognition. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino advised relatives of the victims to bring medical and dental records to help identify the corpses. Five were passengers of the train.

The Metro-North has a history of accidents, including a derailment in December 2013, but Wednesday's incident was the deadliest on record, reports the New York Times.

Tagstrain accidents, Metro-north train