Metra crash Clarendon Hills: BNSF stop remains closed as investigation continues

CLARENDON HILLS, In poor health. (WLS) — The Clarendon Hills Metra cease stays closed Thursday after a passenger was killed and 4 different folks have been injured in a crash with a field truck in the course of the Wednesday morning rush hour.

The Nationwide Transportation Security Board is now heading up the investigation after the passenger was killed and two different passengers and two BNSF staff have been injured within the crash on the Prospect Avenue crossing. All accidents have been described as minor.

“All of us on Metra and BNSF Railway are devastated by this demise and we will likely be working hand-in-hand with the NTSB to search out out what occurred,” Metra spokesman Michael Gillis stated.

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Authorities haven’t launched the id of the lady who was killed, nevertheless it appeared she was ejected from the within of the practice because it hit the truck.

The incident made for a chaotic and scary morning for a lot of commuters and other people dwelling within the downtown space.

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“It was essentially the most horrific factor I’ve ever seen,” commuter Tim French stated.

The crash appeared to have occurred when a truck obtained caught within the tracks as a Metra practice approached Clarendon Hills.

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Video taken by witnesses on scene confirmed the preliminary chaos of the practice blasting by the field truck earlier than it burst into flames. Witness Tom Zurgot stated he was in a automobile proper behind the truck.

“Swiftly I simply noticed the three guys within the truck leap out as quick as they will after which the practice simply hit it head-on at full velocity,” Zurgot stated. “It was stunning … you see movies of trains hitting automobiles on a regular basis, however then you definately see it stay and see a truck lifted within the air and pushed about 100 ft.”

The lads in that truck evacuated with out getting harm.

The explosion of the accident unfolded simply ft away from commuters ready on the Metra cease.

“There was particles flying all over the place after which we noticed the truck simply spin round and explode,” French stated.

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Building has been occurring at this cease in Clarendon Hills for a few yr now as a brand new station is constructed. Commuters suppose that development may have stalled the truck on these tracks.

“I feel what in all probability occurred, which is what everyone else has been doing, is you get to that lip and it’s important to go actual sluggish over it,” French stated, “and that is in all probability one of many the reason why the truck driver was sitting there.”

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A Metra spokesperson stated that is the second accident to kill a passenger in Metra historical past. The primary deadly accident was in Chicago on Sept. 17, 2005, when two passengers died in a crash on the Rock Island District Line close to the forty seventh Road Bridge.

“The cab automobile, which was main the practice, would have a front-facing digicam on it and that will likely be downloaded,” Gillis stated.

It is unclear if the truck driver will likely be cited.

Metra BNSF schedule adjustments

Metra stated BNSF trains have been planning to cease on the Clarendon Hills station Wednesday evening for commuters to select up automobiles that have been left on the station Wednesday morning, however passengers won’t be allowed to board from the station.

On Thursday, Metra stated the BNSF line will run on a Saturday schedule. There will likely be no specific service and trains won’t make any stops on the Clarendon Hills station.

Metra additionally stated riders can use the Union Pacific West Line as a substitute and may name the RTA at (312) 836-7000 for journey help.

Commuters ought to proceed to count on delays.