A Monday morning train crash left approximately four dozen injured in the Chicago suburb of Forest Park, IL. An empty train rolled away from the repair yard where it had been waiting to be moved for maintenance since September 23. Traveling at approximately 20 MPH, the empty train collided with a commuter train at the Harlem station resulting in one of the train cars being crushed. The commuter train was loading passengers at the time. Officials indicate that fail-safes for runaway trains did not function properly.
An investigation is underway, but the current cause is listed as “mechanical failure.” However, authorities are reviewing video feeds to see if there was a human element involved.
Vice president of CTA Rail Operations, Ronald Ester, stated, “In order for the train to move, it has to be energized.” Some would have had to manually place the train in the power position.
About 33 people were taken to area hospitals. Most of the injured complained of neck and back pain.
