After Ceiling Chunks Hit Commuter, Union Station Closes Madison St. Entrance

CHICAGO — Union Station's Madison Street entrance will be closed "until further notice" for repairs and inspections days after a commuter was struck in the head by falling pieces of the station's ceiling, according to a statement by Metra.

Tracks Nos. 5, 7 and 9 on the station's north concourse also will be closed through Wednesday evening, Metra said.

Hilda Piell was hit by the concrete chunks from the ceiling during her Tuesday morning commute from Northbrook to Union Station, according to WGN-TV. The debris caused some bleeding for Piell, but paramedics arrived and cleaned her up, the report stated. A doctor later told her the injury wouldn't need stitches, the report added.

"What happened yesterday to Metra customer Hilda Piell is completely unacceptable," Metra board chairman Martin Oberman said in a statement released Wednesday. "I have made it clear that I expect Amtrak to take all available measures to secure the area immediately for the safety of passengers. Amtrak has also pledged to take appropriate steps to ensure public safety moving forward, including taking legal action against the responsible party.

"In addition, I have asked Metra staff to immediately investigate how this situation was allowed to occur so that steps can be taken to ensure that an accident like this doesn’t happen again."

Metra passengers who routinely use Union Station's Madison Street entrance can use the entrances at Jackson Boulevard or Adams, Canal and Clinton streets.

More via WGN-TV

photo via Google Earth

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