Police and firefighters and paramedics from Chicago responded about 10:36 a.m. Thursday, November 16, 2023 to a report of crash involving a CTA train with injuries at the CTA yard 7519 North Paulina Street in Chicago (Howard Rail Yard). Initially the call for help indicated two trains crashed, but actually a two-car Skokie Swift Yellow Line train hit a railroad snow plow.
Three people were critically injured, and 20 people were hospitalized as a result of the crash. One of the people that was critically injured was a CTA employee who trapped under the snow plow machine. He was not entangled, but he was under the machine. The train operator was also reported to be critically injured in the Code Red triage category. The front of the train was heavily damaged.
No information was initially available regarding the third person that was listed in critical condition.
Most of the 31 or 32 passengers reported injured were classified Code Green or Code Yellow for triage. Code Red patients are often listed in critical condition at the hospital.
Fifteen people refused medical treatment and/or transportation by paramedics.
Chicago Fire Department elevated their paramedic rescue ambulance response to an EMS Plan 1 at 10:37 a.m., and EMS Plan 2 at 10:47 a.m., and an EMS Plan 3 at about 10:58 a.m. Each level brings a response of about four or five additional ambulances.
The crash occurred close to the border of Evanston and the City of Chicago. Ambulances responded to Chicago Avenue in Evanston about two blocks north of the intersection of Clark Street/Chicago Avenue and Howard Street.
Clark Street in Chicago becomes Chicago Avenue in Evanston, north of Howard Street.
The fire department response also included a Still and Box Alarm for additional manpower, equipment, and command officers to the scene.
The Still and Box was struck out at about 11:22 a.m.
The EMS Plan 3 was secured at 11:59 a.m.
Both Yellow and Purple line CTA service was temporarily suspended. Yellow Line riders were advised to use the #97 Skokie bus route as an alternative. Purple Line riders were advised to use the #205 Chicago/Golf bus route or other adjacent bus route.
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