Two Children Killed in Western Springs Train Crash

Two children were tragically killed and an adult driver was hospitalized with critical injuries after an Amtrak train struck a vehicle at a railroad crossing in west suburban Western Springs.

The collision occurred at the Wolf Road grade crossing near the Western Springs Metra station. Emergency responders arrived to find the vehicle heavily damaged and engulfed on the tracks.

Key details of the incident:

• Victims: Pleasantdale School District 107 confirmed that both deceased victims were young students attending Pleasantdale Elementary School. The adult driver of the vehicle remains in critical condition at an area trauma center.
• Train crew and passengers: The crash involved a westbound Amtrak train (the Carl Sandburg). No passengers or crew members aboard the train were injured.
• Crossing status: Village officials reported that the railroad crossing gates and warning lights were down and fully functional at the time of the crash. Witnesses reported the vehicle attempted to go around the lowered gates.
• Transit impact: The incident halted traffic along Metra’s busy BNSF railway corridor and Amtrak routes for several hours while investigators examined the scene.

Authorities and federal rail safety officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.