Man Killed by Freight Train in La Grange Park
A 23-year-old man was struck at the Harding Avenue crossing after walking into the tracks and was killed at the scene, according to La Grange Park police.
La Grange Park police are reporting that a 23-year-old man, a resident of the Village, was killed by a train at the Harding Avenue crossing at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.
The man was Thomas McCallister, of 14 E. Harding Ave, La Grange Park, police said. The site of the accident is six blocks east of McCallister's residence.
An initial report from police stated that McCallister was a passenger in a car with three other occupants that was stopped at the railroad crossing with the gates down.
Witnesses told police that McCallister got out of the car, entered the tracks and was hit by a northbound freight train. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy and police are investigating the incident.
cathi green
11:17 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
Tom McCallister was one of the finest, kindest, sweetest youngsters ever to graduate from Lyons Township High school. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his dear family and many, many friends. His spirit will live on in each of us.
Darren McRoy
11:18 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
Cathi, thank you for the wonderful testimonial!
Linda Karaffa
11:27 pm on Sunday, October 14, 2012
Tom had a gentle soul. Mine is not the only heart broken tonight. He is loved.
Dave Smith
6:14 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
I did not know him, but I was raised on Beach avenue, right by the tracks, went to L.T. and have been through that intersection about 5,000 times. My heart goes out to Tom and his family.
Jacob Metzger
6:56 pm on Monday, October 15, 2012
A Indiana Harbor Belt freight train hit the guy going a high rate of speed,
(This IS very rude, but it seems like a LT/former LT student dies every october)..
2011: Kelly Olaughlin
2012: Tom McCallister
Deb
11:48 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Was walking my dogs early on Sunday morning. Saw so much police activity down by Harding & Barnsdale. Was so sad to read about this young man's death on Monday morning. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and this most diffcult time.