#371 collides; service disrupted

Amtrak's Grand Rapids to Chicago connect, The Pere Marquette, was involved in a collision today South of Chicago. 371 was en route to a Chicago station through a Norfolk Southern (NS) rail yard near 47th Street and Shields Avenue when it collided with a NS freight train around 12:30 PM EST Friday. Amtrak reports approximately 187 passengers and six crew members where on board during the collision. As of now two Amtrak employees were considered seriously injured. Some passengers reported wounds to the face, neck and shoulder regions as a result of the hard stop.

The 371's front end had absorbed much of the collision when it collided with the 20 car freight train. As a result of the collision the locomotive piggy backed onto an articulated well car with containers. According to NS, its train was waiting for a signal change, was then permitted to move and then struck by Pere Marquette. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time. Amtrak is working with The NTSB and other agencies to investigate the crash.

Most eastern routes headed into Chicago have resumed and subject to delays, while the 371's route will be substituted by motor coach between Grand Rapids and Chicago.