38 Injured in Largest CTA Train Crash in Decades

Updated on Friday, November 17

CHICAGO (November 17, 2023) – After a CTA Yellow Line train collided with a train snowplow on the tracks Thursday morning, 38 people were left injured at the Howard Street Switching Station NBC reported. This is the largest CTA train crash in decades.

The fire department stated that the incident happened at 7519 N. Paulina, between Evanston and Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.

During a press conference that afternoon, CFD said 23 of the 38 people evaluated by medical personnel were transported to area hospitals after the crash, including four children. At least three were in critical condition but no life-threatening injuries were reported. Additionally, one person required a “special rescue” from the Evanston Fire Department, a tweet from the Evanston Police Department said.

The train was full of people heading downtown when passengers said they felt a vibration, heard a screech then the crash. The impact crushed the front end of the train, knocking both riders and transit employees off their feet, reported ABC7.

“When we actually got out I saw the front of the train, and it was completely busted open — the glass, everything,” one passenger said. “Thank god I’m OK, but I was very worried for everyone in the first car who had to experience that” Chicago Tribune reported. When emergency responders showed up, the passengers in her car walked to the front of the train to exit. That was when she heard the train operator “screaming in pain” and saw blood on the floor and rails, she said.

According to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the Yellow Line, Purple Line, and Red Line were temporarily suspended and their power completely shut off. Several streets in the area were also closed while crews responded to the scene.

The Yellow Line is still suspended as of Friday morning.

“People started screaming, the kids yelling,” witness Shayla Smith said. “I feel like we got hit too because how the impact was, it was so close.”

“So many crews, working fast and working hard. Just scary seeing how bad the damage to the train was,” CTA employee Katya Bonilla said.

Investigators are now going to determine why the piece of winter equipment was on the tracks on a 60 degree day and how the train crashed into it, ABC7 mentioned.

Unfortunately, CTA and Metra operators are not always safe. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., our personal injury lawyers help victims of CTA and other mass transportation crashes. We have experience handling these types of complex cases and can help you do what is necessary to pursue your claim and seek the amount of compensation you deserve to cover the cost of your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If you or a loved one was injured in the CTA Yellow line crash, contact us today to learn about your legal rights and options in a free, no-obligation consultation.