CHICAGO — Two people were fatally struck by a Metra train Thursday evening.
Around 4:50 p.m., the Burlington Northern Santa Fe inbound train was traveling express from La Grange station to Chicago Union Station when the train struck and killed two people near Albany Avenue and 21st Avenue, said Metra Spokeswoman Meg Reily. That is about a mile west of the Western station.
Reily emphasized that this section of the track is elevated above the roadway, which means "this is not a place where people would normally be walking."
The victims were identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office as Berry W. Huddleston and Margaret N. Huddleston, both 50. The Tribune reported they were siblings, and maybe have been collecting scrap when they were struck.
"BNSF commuters may experience crowded conditions at Chicago Union Station," according to a statement on Metra's website. "Commuters may consider alternate transportation options such as the Union Pacific West line out of Ogilvie Transportation Center. Extended train delays are expected to persist throughout the evening rush hour."
As of 6:25 p.m., a single track opened and trains are moving at "restricted speeds allowing traffic to proceed at five minute intervals," according to Metra's website.
But there are still "significant delays." Currently, trains are delayed 65 - 125 minutes and no train will be stopping at Western Avenue station tonight, according to the statement.
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