Metro-North has resumed running New Haven line trains from Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal, after a Metro-North employee hit by a train in Westchester County delayed service to thousands of commuters.

Metro-North spokeswoman Marjorie Anders says service resumed at about 8:30 p.m. Friday, with some delays.

Officials say service was suspended after a Metro-North switch operator was fatally struck by a commuter train shortly after 7 p.m. Friday near the Rye train station.

The man's identity was not immediately released pending the notification of his family.

Metro-North authorities say the employee was a signal maintainer who informed engineers about track availability. They say signal maintainers are often on the tracks, but always with a flag person who looks out for the safety of the workers. A spokesperson with Metro-North says it's unclear how the employee ended up in the path of an oncoming train.

Power was turned off at the scene of the accident and at least a dozen New Haven line trains were ordered held at the nearest stations.

Anders estimated that about 12,000 commuters were delayed by the accident.

AP wire reports contributed to this article.