38 injured, 3 critically in CTA Yellow Line train crash near Howard Station, CFD says

CHICAGO (WLS) — At least 38 people were hurt, three critically, in a crash involving a CTA train Thursday morning in the city’s Rogers Park neighborhood on the north side, according to Chicago Fire Department.

It happened at 10:39 a.m. near 7500 N. Paulina, near the Howard Street Stop along the Red and Yellow lines.

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Officials said a two-car Skokie Swift train was traveling southbound when it struck a CTA snow removal vehicle that was also traveling southbound in the Howard rail yard.

CFD said 23 patients were transported to hospitals and 15 people refused. Their conditions range from serious to fair. Seven of the injured includes CTA personnel.

Officials said none of the injuries are life-threatening.

There are still major questions about why heavy snow removal equipment was on the same track as a Yellow Line train.

“All I know is the passenger train was traveling at its normal speed, if you will, if they didn’t tell me what it was. And the other vehicle was not traveling very fast at all. They were on the same track,” said CFD 2nd District Chief Robert Jurewicz.

Both Yellow and Purple line service has been temporarily suspended. Yellow Line riders should use the #97 Skokie bus route as an alternative.

Mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement, saying in part, “Our thoughts are with all affected and we are grateful for our brave first responders on the scene. We are working closely with emergency services as we continue to monitor this incident.”

The National Transportation Safety Board tweeted that they are launching an investigation into the collision alongside Chicago police and CTA officials.