Six dead after packed commuter train crashes into car in New York

Officials have revised down to six the number of people killed when a packed commuter train crashed into a car outside New York in the worst accident in the history of Metro North.

"The number of deceased in the train itself drop from six to five. The driver is also deceased. We have 15 injuries, seven of those injuries are very serious," said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday.

It was the worst accident in the history of Metro North, the railway line that connects Manhattan to suburban towns north of New York, and the third in two years.

The cause of the crash is under investigation and part of the Metro North Harlem line has been suspended until further notice with alternative buses laid on for commuters Wednesday.

"The train cars cannot be removed until the on-scene investigation is complete, and they will need to be removed before service can be restored," said Metro North.

The train slammed into an SUV vehicle on Tuesday evening, triggering an explosion and fire.

The blast caused the electrified third rail of the train tracks to rise and ram through the train car, Cuomo said.