Metra train derails on city's South Side

September 17, 2005 (CHICAGO) -- Two people were killed and dozens were injured when a Metra commuter train derailed on Chicago's South Side Saturday morning. The five-car train from Joliet derailed at 47th and Wentworth just after 8:30 a.m. There were 185 passengers and four crew members onboard.

Both fatalities are believed to be passengers. One of them has been identified as a woman in her 20s. Police have not released their names.

Most of the frightened passengers slowly filed out of damaged railcars after the crash.

"People in my car had blood o them and just really bad shape. I m lucky. I think people sitting upstairs were ok. It's all people down. They got really thrown around a lot," said Gloria Balta, passenger.

"I woke up because the train started shaking. And the next thing I knew people were down on the floor screaming," said Maggie Richard, injured passenger.

"I was coming east on 47th street approaching this bridge and it seemed like an explosion happened and I looked up and the Metra train stopped dead," said Michael Doyle, witness.

"All you see was just a couple of heads and bodies kind of being jolted," said Irene Lewis, witness.

A massive emergency response followed to free the 185 passengers and four crew members trapped in the train s five cars.

"We brought in 42 ambulances fro the suburbs and those ambulance were used here to help treat an transport the injured victims," said Kevin Roche, Chief Paramedic.

The derailment happened near 47th and Wentworth, which is just north of the spot where another train derailed two years ago.

"I'll be talking with the chairman of the transportation committee when I get back to Washington just to see whether or not there s anything that ca be done to look at this particular piece of track," said Rep. Bobby Rush, (D) Chicago.

The train's engineer was injured and remains on suicide watch, which is standard procedure in cases like this. Metra officials say he has been a train engineer for five years.

"He came to our railroad, went through our railroad training program for approximately six months, actually trained on thi railroad, has been operating on this railroad for about 60 days," said Phil Pagano, Metra Executive Director.

Meanwhile, investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are assessing damages and looking into the cause of the derailment.

"There is some damage up there. And it just takes us time to piece all that together," said Richard Hipskind, National Transportation Safety Bd.

It could take nine to 12 months to figure out what caused the derailment.

Crews worked to clear the tracks so that other trains can now move in and out of the area.

Dozens injured sent to six hospitals

"Everyone was just flying around everywhere. You see people flying from car to car -- everything just happened real fast," said Julie Arredondo, who was riding in the most seriously damaged train car. She shook off the daze and realized she was trapped.

"I had a seat laying on top of my leg so I had to wait for someone to pull it up. Then there was a rush, everyone was trying to get out the windows right away," said Arredondo. "Everyone was just helping everyone."

First responders set-up three triage tents along-side the tracks. It's where paramedics gave people once over and prioritized, then stabilized, the most seriously injured. Due to the volume of victims, the Chicago Fire Department took the unusual step of asking for help from several suburbs. It came in the form of ambulances. A long line formed as paramedics waited to transport nearly 60 of the injured. Provident Hospital received 14 patients.

"Lots of severe contusions, injuries. Everything from sprains and strains to severe blunt hcest trauma," said Dr. Kevin Dardis, Provident Hospital.

Some worried relatives received cell phone calls from loved ones on the train and rushed to the scene.

"I came down here trying to find out something - but I don't know anything yet," said Norris Thomaston.

Midlothian residents Janice and Mallory Hill were looking forward to a day downtown. Janice lost her shoes in the derailment -- but mother and daughter are thankful to have made it through with only a few bumps and bruises.

"In all of the commotion I flew up in the car and have a little gash here. I got a headache, a big headache. Some neck injuries, but I'm thankful to be here," said Janice Hill, injured passenger.

Those who need to locate someone who may have been on the train can call the Red Cross at the city's information line, (877) 745-INFO.

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