An Amtrak train struck a construction vehicle in Lake Forest, Illinois, on Sunday afternoon, leaving one person injured and raising safety concerns along the busy rail corridor.
According to the City of Lake Forest, the collision happened near the intersection of Everett Road and Waukegan Road, where crews were carrying out routine maintenance work on or near the tracks. The impact sent emergency responders to the scene.
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The person inside the construction vehicle was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening, officials confirmed.
Metra said its Milwaukee District North line trains, which operate on a reduced Sunday schedule, were not immediately affected by the crash. However, officials cautioned that cleanup and investigation could cause service delays if the scene required extended work.
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The incident underscores the risks associated with working near active train lines, where large passenger trains like Amtrak can travel at high speeds through suburban communities. Local first responders, including Lake Forest police and fire, quickly secured the area to ensure no additional hazards developed.
The crash comes as Amtrak continues to expand ridership and invest in rail infrastructure across the Midwest. While federal rail safety protocols mandate coordination between maintenance crews and rail operators, accidents can still occur when timing and movement overlap.
Officials have not yet released details about which Amtrak train was involved, its passenger count, or its ultimate destination. No injuries were reported among Amtrak passengers or crew members.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other relevant agencies may review the incident as part of standard procedures for rail collisions involving construction equipment.
For now, Lake Forest city officials are urging patience as investigators determine the sequence of events that led to the crash.
Originally reported by Adam Harrington, Tim Jacobi in CBS News.
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