A man in his 70s was struck and killed by a freight train at a Lake Forest railroad crossing Friday, authorities said.
Lake Forest police and fire personnel responded to the scene at Waukegan and Everett roads about noon after receiving reports of a collision involving a train and a pedestrian.
“Once we got there, we evaluated the subject and determined he was deceased,” Deputy Fire Chief Mike Gallow told the Chicago Sun-Times. The identity of the man has not been released.
A northbound Canadian Pacific Kansas City Southern freight train traveling from Bensenville to Portage, Wisconsin struck hit the man at the Everett Road grade crossing near the Lake Forest Metra station, according to Lake Forest police.
The incident halted rail service in the area, affecting both Metra’s Milwaukee District North Line and Amtrak’s Hiawatha Line, which share tracks with the freight service.
Metra spokesperson Martha Hill said commuter traffic resumed at 1:23 p.m. but was operating with extensive delays.
“Until the investigation is complete and the freight train is back on the move, delays are going to happen,” Hill told the Chicago Sun-Times. “Since the incident occurred near Lake Forest, delays will primarily impact service near the Lake Forest station, as well as Deerfield and Libertyville stations.”
Metra officials hope delays will be more moderate by rush hour.
The Lake Forest police are investigating along with Metra Police and Canadian Pacific officials. Roads in the area remain closed as authorities work to clear the scene, with Everett Road and Conwar Road shut down between Telegraph and Waukegan on Route 43 until further notice.