Two Children Killed in Train Accident in Western Springs

Two children lost their lives in Illinois when their vehicle collided with a train on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The tragic event occurred at the railroad crossing on Wolf Road in Western Springs at approximately 8 a.m. local time. The Village of Western Springs confirmed the incident in a Facebook post.

The children, who were students at Pleasantdale School, were killed in the crash. The driver of the vehicle suffered severe injuries and was taken to the hospital. Fortunately, no passengers on the train were harmed.

A statement from the Village expressed deep sympathy for the families involved and gratitude to the emergency responders who acted quickly. Dave Palzet, Superintendent of Pleasantdale School District 107, shared a heartfelt message on the school district’s website. He confirmed the loss of two elementary students and emphasized the support being provided to families.

“Words cannot express the heartbreak and sorrow we feel as we mourn this devastating loss,” Palzet stated. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family. Our thoughts, prayers, and support are with them.”

In respect of the family, the school district will not release the children’s names or ages. Crisis response teams have been made available to support students and staff. Counselors will be present on site to offer assistance on the following days.

The Village’s latest update reveals that the accident details are still under investigation. Preliminary reports indicate the railroad crossing gates were functioning and engaged at the time of the accident.

Amtrak passengers disembarked safely from the train and were transported from the area. Crossings at Grand Avenue and Wolf Road were temporarily closed during the investigation. Authorities, including the Illinois State Police and Metra, are actively investigating the incident.