Patch Darien, IL --Updated at 8:27 p.m.
A 30-year-old male pedestrian was struck and killed by an eastbound train at the Cass Avenue crossing in Westmont Thursday evening, police confirmed.
The man was struck at approximately 5:45 p.m., said Sgt. Steve Thompson, Westmont Police Department spokesman. A press release sent out by Westmont Police Chief Thomas Mulhearn detailed the incident.
"The pedestrian was crossing the tracks at the grade crossing when he was struck by an eastbound Metra Rail Commuter train," the release reads. "The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:03 p.m. by medical personnel from Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove via paramedics from the Westmont Fire Department."
Thompson said "it's too early to make any calls" on what led to the collision. The identity of the victim is being withheld as family are notified.
BNSF trains were halted until about 6:45 p.m., Mulhearn's release reads, and Cass Avenue traffic was detoured around the crossing until 8:30 p.m.
"This accident is currently under investigation by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Police, the DuPage County Coroners Office and this department," Mulhearn's release says. "This incident is being classified as a death investigation at this time."
BNSF passengers have experiencing delays throughout the night as a result.
Trains #1283, 1287 and 1267 to arrive Rt. 59 at 6:54pm, Aurora at 7:47pm and Rt. 59 at 6:03pm are operating 81-162 minutes behind schedule due to an earlier pedestrian incident at Westmont.
Here are the latest updates to the train schedule:
· Train #1292 to arrive Chicago at 7:40 p.m. is operating 50-60 minutes behind schedule.
· Train #1296, scheduled to depart Aurora at 8:20 p.m. and arrive Chicago at 9:40 p.m., will be delayed in departure due to late arrival of equipment.
· Train #1291 to depart Chicago at 7:40 p.m. and arrive Aurora at 8:56 p.m., and #1294 to depart Downers Grove Main at 8 p.m. and arrive Chicago at 8:48 p.m., will not operate tonight. This is due to an earlier pedestrian incident at Westmont.
· The following trains are now on the move and are operating 30-130 minutes behind schedule due to an earlier pedestrian incident at Westmont: #1277 to arrive Rt. 59 at 6:25 p.m.; #1287 to arrive Aurora at 7:47 p.m.; #1285 to arrive Aurora at 7:34 p.m.; #1283 to arrive Rt. 59 at 6:54 p.m.; #1281 to arrive Aurora at 7:21 p.m. and #1267 to arrive Rt. 59 at 6:03pm.
At 6:08 p.m., Metra announced on its website that the BNSF train departing Chicago for Aurora at 6:18 p.m. would not run.
It was announced at 6:47 p.m. that trains were moving through the Cass Avenue area at restricted speeds, but customers should expect 75-85 minute delays. Reported by Patch 18 hours ago.