Subway worker showered in sparks after track explosion

A New York train operator was showered in sparks when he triggered an explosion as he tried remove a metal rubbish bin that had been tossed onto the tracks.

The incident occurred early Sunday morning when the driver got out of his vehicle to remove the garbage bin after colliding with it at Cypress Avenue Station in the Bronx, the New York Post reports.

A bystander filmed the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) worker as he shoved the obstruction out of the train's path with a third rail paddle.

But in his attempts to shove the trash can he pushed it onto the electrified third rail, causing a loud electric explosion that sent sparks flying.

The worker was lucky not to be injured, according to MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz.

He added that the MTA is working with police to try and find the people who tossed the can onto the tracks.

Mr Ortiz said a number of vandals had been arrested in recent weeks over a series of incidents of vandalism on the subway.

A group which calls themselves the "subway conquestors" are said to be behind many of the recent incidents and last month one alleged member was arrested for causing an explosion when he allegedly ripped a metal sign box from a train and threw it onto the tracks.

While most train lines in Australia have overhead wires to power the trains, New York trains are electrified by a third rail that runs between the tracks.