Hoboken crash: Governors of NJ, NY working together again

HOBOKEN -- After touring the area where an NJ Transit train went through an end-of-the-line buffer zone and slammed into a wall of the Hoboken Terminal on Thursday morning, Gov. Chris Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo held a press briefing outside.

“We are going to work together to make sure that the investigation is seamless and coordinated, that we come to a conclusion as quickly as possible,” said Christie about the crash that injured more than 100 passengers and killed a 34-year-old mother waiting on the platform. The train had originated in New York state.

He noted over the past six years he and Cuomo, as leaders of their respective states, have gone through Hurricane Irene, Hurricane Sandy, and a number of terrorist attacks.

"What that’s done for our relationship and for the relationships of our staffs has been – these folks know how to deal with a crisis,” he said.

Christie pointed out the first call he got about the train accident after he was informed of it by members of his inner staff was from Cuomo, a Democrat, who cancelled a planned trip to Israel to help manage the crisis.

“I do not remember a time in the history of the state when you’ve had a better and more tested relationship between the governor of New York and the governor of New Jersey and their respective staffs,” said Christie. “So when we say we’re going to get this up and running as quickly as possible, people have a track record to watch from Irene, from Sandy and from terrorist attacks.”

Christie said the people of New Jersey and New York have also been battle tested and he saluted their bravery and spirit.

“Regular commuters left the safety of where they were standing to rush to the train to help first responders evacuate injured people off the train,” he said. “This region has developed a resilience that is admired by the rest of the world."

Christie stressed there are challenges ahead as this investigation moves forward but “we have a system in place between the two of us and our administrations and an incredibly resilient people that allow us to be able to confront these things very directly.”