Local
Two Killed, One Injured When Amtrak Train Strikes Car at Western Springs Crossing; BNSF Service Halted
An Amtrak train bound for Quincy struck a vehicle at the Wolf Road crossing in Western Springs on Wednesday morning, killing two people and sending a third to the hospital. Metra's BNSF line was shut down in both directions, with extensive delays expected through the morning commute.
Two people were killed and a third was taken to a hospital Wednesday morning after an Amtrak train struck a vehicle at a railroad crossing in Western Springs, village officials said, halting Metra's BNSF line in both directions and threatening extensive delays for suburban commuters.
The crash occurred around 8 a.m. at the Wolf Road crossing, according to the village. Video and photos from the scene showed the car destroyed on the tracks, with smoke rising from the wreckage and a large emergency response converging on the area. Crossings at Grand Avenue and Wolf Road were closed, and village officials urged pedestrians to stay away until further notice.
Metra said it was notified of the collision at about 8:20 a.m. and immediately stopped all BNSF inbound and outbound trains. The agency warned riders to expect extensive delays.
Amtrak said in a statement that train No. 381, traveling from Chicago to Quincy, struck the vehicle on the tracks just west of LaGrange. None of the 35 passengers and crew members aboard the train were injured, according to Amtrak.
The circumstances of the crash remained under investigation Wednesday. Western Springs police and Amtrak officials did not immediately release the identities of the victims or the condition of the person hospitalized.
The collision disrupted one of the region's busiest commuter corridors. The BNSF line carries thousands of riders daily between Chicago and its western suburbs, and a stoppage during the morning rush can ripple across the network for hours. Riders were advised to check Metra alerts and consider alternate routes.
The crash also renewed attention to safety at grade crossings in the western suburbs, where road and rail traffic intersect at dozens of points. Federal statistics show that vehicle-train collisions remain a persistent hazard nationwide, though fatalities have declined over recent decades as crossings have been upgraded with gates, lights and medians.
Western Springs officials said the village would provide updates as more information becomes available. Amtrak said it is cooperating with local authorities.