New York City officials are investigating how a Manhattan-bound F train derailed in Woodside, Queens on Friday morning, injuring 19 people and forcing the evacuation of hundreds of worried, delayed and frightened commuters.

Authorities said that the train, which was carrying about 1,000 passengers, derailed in the E and F line tunnel near the station at Broadway and 65th St. around 10:30 a.m.

Nineteen people suffered injuries, while four other injured straphangers were reported to be in serious condition.

One rider on her way to a job interview told the New York Daily News that the incident was nerve rattling.

"You could just feel yourself coming off your seat," said Irvelle Cadet. "I was sideways at one point. Then the conductor came over the speakers to say it derailed."

The incident has caused major disruption to multiple subway lines, including the E, F, R and M trains which are running with delays in both directions. The MTA says it will conduct a full investigation.

"We've replaced almost all the track since 1982, so it's probably no more than 20 or 30 years old, if that old ... We will do a detailed review. It's not just investigating the equipment at the site and the track. Detailed review of the track inspection and maintenance records. We run 8,000 trains a day, and the system is very safe," said MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast, reports NY1.

"Those who were OK were helping out the people who were not, calming them down, giving them water," said another witness. "I mean, people were, they were New Yorkers. They were helping people in need. It was a great thing."

The MTA said they will try to re-rail the train after the evening rush hour Friday night and that trains will run on the local lines in that area of Queens.

Related