Metra, Amtrak services disrupted after Northwest Side crash
A dump truck that was in a crash with an Amtrak train on the Northwest Side Friday afternoon. (WGN-TV)
By Chicago Tribune staff
Service on Metra's Milwaukee District North Line and Amtrak's Hiawatha Line were disrupted Friday afternoon after an Amtrak train struck the rear of a dump truck on the Northwest Side.
The accident happened shortly after 2:10 p.m. near Caldwell and Devon avenues, officials said. Reports indicated Amtrak's No. 336 Hiawatha train struck the rear of a truck.
Meg Reile, a Metra spokeswoman, said service was immediately stopped after the accident per the request of officials, and the Milwaukee District North Line was operating on a single track. One train was delayed up to 40 minutes while officials worked to clear the track, but it was now moving, she said. For updates, check Metra's website.
Reile added that customers should expect minor delays as inbound and outbound trains were running on a single track.
As of 4 p.m., the truck had been removed from the area, said Vernae Graham, an Amtrak spokeswoman. The train involved in the crash was carrying 197 passengers, none of whom were injured, Graham said.
Amtrak has canceled service for two Hiawatha trains which includes train No. 337 out of Chicago, and No. 340 out of Milwaukee. Customers will be accommodated with bus service, Graham said. For updates, check Amtrak's website.
The Metra line affected by the crash was incorrectly reported as the Milwaukee District West line in previous versions of this story.