Some Chicago-area commuters are facing lengthy delays this morning after two CTA blue line trains collided, temporarily shutting down the tracks and sending dozens of injured victims to area hospitals for treatment.
CTA officials have confirmed that a collision occurred around 8:00 a.m. and that it involved two blue line trains, one of which was in service and carrying passengers near the Harlem stop in Forest Park. Reportedly the other train involved was not in service and had no passengers on board.
At this point, it appears that the in-service train was stopped at Harlem and was picking up and dropping off blue line passengers as part of the morning commute. That train was on the outbound tracks when the conductor noticed another train on the same tracks but traveling in the opposite direction, heading for an immediate impact. The out-of-service inbound train struck the in-service outbound train with enough force to crumple parts of each train and injure dozens, sending 33 people to area hospitals, according to a CTA report.
The Forest Park mayor stated that the conductor of the in-service train reported that there was no one in the front car of the out-of-service train as it traveled towards him, leading many to wonder how many workers were on board and what caused the trains the be on the same track.
After the crash, CTA officials evacuated the train and the Harlem station. All CTA service through Harlem was suspended for approximately two hours and CTA buses were used to shuttle people around the downed tracks. As of approximately 10:00 a.m., train traffic on the blue line had resumed but no trains are stopping at the Harlem station.
The CTA provides millions of rides to Chicago residents, commuters, and visitors every year on its trains and buses around the city and the surrounding areas. Many people board a CTA vehicle with little thought to their personal safety, trusting the CTA and its employees to exercise care and caution through the operation of their trains. Yet unfortunately collisions like the one that happened this morning continue to exist and are often the result of negligence on the part of the CTA, an employee or both.
If you have been injured in a CTA accident, call the train lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. today for a free, no obligation telephone consultation. Our lawyers are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call at (312) 924-7575 or toll free at (855) 529-2442. We believe in fighting for the rights of accident victims so we never charge a fee unless we make a recovery on your behalf. Call us today and let us help you understand your legal rights.
Prior Blog Entries:
Chicago Bike Accident Lawyers Settle Crash for $125,000, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published September 27, 2013.
NFL Wide Receiver Breaks Arm in Car Accident, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published September 25, 2013.
Resources:
At least 33 taken to hospitals after Blue Lines trains collide, Chicago Sun-Times, published September 30, 2013.
CTA: 33 people taken to hospitals after CTA trains collide, by Ellen Jean Hirst and Carlos Sadovi, Chicago Tribune, published September 30, 2013.
CTA Blue Line Trains Collide: 2 Trains Crash, Injuries Reported At Harlem Stop In Forest Park, Huff Post Chicago, published September 30, 2013.