Man Hit By Train Possibly ‘Looking for Something’ on Tracks: Metra

The pedestrian hit by an outbound Metra Rock Island District train in Beverly on Thursday afternoon “appeared to be searching for something on the tracks,” a Metra spokeswoman said.

The critically injured, 24-year-old man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. The man’s family was also notified and brought to the hospital.

According to the witness, the engineer, he was approaching 90th Street and Hermitage around 4:10 p.m. Thursday when he observed the man standing in the middle of the tracks facing south, with his back to the train, Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile said.

The engineer said he was approaching the intersection of 90th Street and Hermitage Avenue when he observed the man standing in the middle of the tracks facing south, with his back to the train, Reile said.

The engineer sounded the horn and placed the train into an emergency stop,” Reile said.

The man was pinned under the front of the locomotive beneath the pilot plate, also known as the “cow catcher.” The Chicago Fire Department used a heavy duty jack to lift the locomotive off the man. He was removed from under the train and taken to Advocate Christ in critical condition.

Trains in both directions on the Rock Island Blue Island branch were shut down in both directions for several hours on Thursday afternoon. 

“This is a horrible situation,” Reile said. It’s a simple matter or obeying the crossing lights and gates. Don’t walk on the tracks. It’s not safe ever. There could be a train at any time for any reason.”