Woman Struck, Killed By Train In Riverside

UPDATED at 5:12 p.m.:

RIVERSIDE, IL — Police were looking to identify a woman who was struck and killed by a train near Longcommon and Cowley roads Thursday morning in Riverside.

Longcommon and Cowley roads Tom Weitzel told the Chicago Tribune the woman was not at a designated crossing when she was hit just after 8 a.m.

The crash halted inbound and outbound BNSF trains and prompted Metra officials to tell some commuters to see alternate transportation Thursday morning.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A BNSF Metra train struck a pedestrian Thursday morning near Riverside, taking one train out of operation, while a gas leak shut down the Union-Pacific West line near Wheaton.

"Due to the pedestrian incident near Riverside involving train #1250, Train #1262, scheduled to depart Aurora at 9:20 a.m. and arrive Chicago Union Station at 10:47 AM, will not operate today," Metra said in a service alert just after 9 a.m. "Train #1264, scheduled to depart Aurora at 10:20 a.m. and arrive Chicago at 11:47 a.m., will accommodate commuters from train #1262."

Metra suggested that commuters affected by the Riverside delay seek alternate transportation if possible, but said inbound and outbound service had been restored by just before 11 a.m.

Just after 8:30 a.m., Metra also issued an alert that inbound and outbound service was halted near Wheaton on the UP-W line due to a gas leak in the area. Although service was briefly restored, it was halted again shortly after 9 a.m., and by 9:30 a.m., Metra was reporting that train #42 departing Elburn at 9:32 a.m. was delayed.

At around the same time, Metra said it was experiencing problems with the public address system in Hinsdale. "Attempted transmission of platform change announcements and service disruption information may not be heard," it said. "Passengers should monitor the website for information."

Image via Patch file