A Chicago
commuter train that was parked in a service yard somehow moved onto a rail line
and smashed into an oncoming train early Monday, injuring dozens of people.
"I don't know the last time, if ever, that this has
happened" on the Chicago Transit Authority system, said CTA spokesman
Brian Steele..
At least 48 people were injured; 33 of them were transported
to hospitals, Forest Park Mayor Anthony Calderone told CNN affiliate WLS. They are believed to have minor
injuries.
It was not immediately clear how many passengers were
aboard the train.
Investigators are not characterizing the incident as a
runaway train at this point, Steele said.
A central question: whether anyone had climbed on board the
empty train and set it in motion.
"In order for a train to move, it has to be
energized," said Ronald Ester, a CTA general manager.
"We call it unlocking the master controller," he
said. The train would have needed to be placed in power position manually.
Authorities are looking at video feeds from the platforms
and from some rail cars. They're also interviewing workers who were nearby.
It's unknown whether there were criminal activities, Steele
said. Authorities did not immediately find windows broken, doors pried open, or
graffiti on the train.
The train that caused the accident had four cars; the one
with passengers aboard had eight.
The incident took place around 8 a.m.
Train service continued, but did not stop at Harlem, near
the site of the crash. Shuttle buses were made available.
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