1st off, think before you post and make ignorant comments. A train going full tilt down the BNSF line takes about a full mile to stop. 2nd, thats a busy crossing, and we don't have many details yet, but we don't know when she pulled onto the tracks and how much warning the conductor had. 3rd, look at the time of the accident and then look outside tonight at that time... It's dark at 5:54 PM. Even with headlights on the train, they don't go miles down the track, and by the time the conductor saw it might have been too late. I was on a train that fireballed a van at Hinsdale a few years back at night... Its on YouTube, look it up, amazing view from a police dash-cam. Somehow nobody was hurt, and that car had been sitting there for minutes. Lastly, you have NO idea the impact this has on the conductors whenever there is a fatal accident or suicide. They get time off and extensive counseling, and they need it, because someone died on their watch, even if they had no chance to do anything about it. Eyes on the front of the train.... Please.

First, BP you obviously don't understand the physics of hundreds, or thousands, of tons of steel railroad equipment at speeds over 60MPH (as I recall, the speed limit for METRA & Amtrak trains on our BNSF 3 track line is 79MPH), stopping within just a few hundred feet. Referring to you "60 miles an hour eteballs" statement, the Engineers of ALL the trains through our area, or the rest of the U.S. for that matter, depend on the functioning crossing lights/gates/alarm bells as their "60 miles an hour eyeballs"! The flashing red lights come on WELL BEFORE any train, and then the crossing gates come down prior to any train passing through the street crossing. All the crossing protection devices in the Chicago suburbs are "train speed sensitive", meaning that the faster the train is comming, the sooner the gates come down.

How certain people feel they can "beat the train to the crossing" is a mystery.

A comment to JK: The "Conductor" is back on the train, in the passenger cars. The "Engineer", is the individual in the cab controlling the operation of the train, and has to live with the actions of those folks who decide to "pull out in front of the train".

Now, a final comment about the news media in our Great Country. Why do the headlines, or TV news reporters, always seem to say, "METRA/AMTRAK train kills motorist at......crossing!"? Was the "motorist" just driving down Hilgrove Ave. and the METRA train swerved over and hit them? SURE!!!

Comment

Mr. BP
I don't have the slightest idea of what you're talking about, except for the insults that you have hurled at the railroad industry. My instincts tell me that you enjoy a confrontation and you thrive on bringing up trivial matters that have nothing to do with the conversation. The point remains that a woman died very tragically and we still do not know the circumstances that placed her vehicle on the tracks. Aside from all the gibberish that you have posted and names that you have thrown around, what will save lives is an understanding that we must respect a machine of this magnitude and always take caution. Simply put, stay off of the tracks when the lights are flashing and the gates are coming down.

A note about this story: The Western Springs Police Department has confirmed that they are not involved in the investigation because the accident occurred on the eastern half of Gilbert. Apparently, jurisdiction is indeed sectioned off that closely. They did assist at the scene of the accident.

BP
This is sick...just plain sick

The story has been updated here: http://lagrange.patch.com/articles/medical-examiner-rules-friday-s-train-death-a-suicide

Well BP, you are either smokin/drinking the "good stuff", or possibly just trolling.

Having more than 50 years in the railroad motive power business, yes BOTH steam & diesel, I can tell you that what killed the woman at the Gilbert Ave. grade crossing, was NOT a MOW truck which didn't "trip the gates". The train, according to reports from the LaGrange Police Dept., was an empty METRA express, returning to Chicago Union Station for another load of passengers.

I'm sure that additional information will be forthcomming, such as video footage from the "in-cab" camera, on the scene eyewitnes statements as to the function of the lights/gates and the position of the vehicle that was struck.

By the way, the railroad does not really investage it self. I'm sure you must have heard of the Federal Railroad Admistration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Concerning the "no whistle/horn" rule; THAT has been in effect for almost 50 years, and every time the railroad industry or the FRA what to have the trains start blowing their horns again, all the citizens along ALL the towns, get all up in arns about the affect on their property values.

So BP, you've posted a few 404 7 year old links. Try again. Also, your conspiracy theories and accusing a BNSF employee of KILLING someone are heartless.

If you are from the LaGrange area, you should know how many accidents happen along that INCREDIBLY busy train line. VERY FEW! And when they do happen, it is always the fault of the operator of the car (or pedestrian on foot), NOT the train. There is nothing wrong with current safety measures. A train comes, the gates go down, lights blink, bells ring. They stay down till it is safe to cross. If you're stupid enough to go around those gates, then thats on you. If you're committing suicide by train, you're not only ending your own life but damaging others as well. And I did misspeak & was corrected, the ENGINEER usually gets time off to gather themselves and seek counseling. PTSD is nasty.

I have been traveling that line for 12 years, and the only accident I have been involved in was the one in Hinsdale (LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XestujmGD84) (I was on the train traveling to the right), and we were well past downtown when we finally stopped.

A little common sense goes a long way when dealing with trains. They're big, noisy, and fast, and you can see them miles away when visibility is good. AND They use their horns. All the time. I can take a video this afternoon when i get off the train if you'd like.

Mr. Hendrickson, what EVIDENCE or FACTS do you have that supports your update that this poor woman committed suicide? Have you spoken to THEE investigating officer, not the chief, but the lead investigator on this accident? The reason why I ask is because while he is investigating, this was NOT suicide according to his PROFESSIONAL observation & INVESTIGATION!

Medical examiner? - (Medical examiners) A coroner or forensics examiner is an official chiefly responsible for investigating deaths, particularly some of those happening under unusual circumstances, and determining the cause of death.
NOW, was this medical examiner at the scene & witnessed the accident to state she committed suicide? Did the medical examiner provide any evidence to support your update, was there a history of suicide, any history of depression, or ANYTHING that would lead you to believe this poor woman was indeed suicidal?
Unless i missed reading where she jumped in front of the train, stood in front of the train, or was drinving head on towards the train, I would assume she died of multiple injuries.

"I’m very surprised [the medical examiner's office] has made that determination so quickly," Police Chief Michael Holub said following last night's village board meeting.
Holub said that given the weather conditions at the time, and that police were still investigating, it was too early to say.' NOW this here has to be the most accurate UPDATE!
You are the reason people HATE the media!

Mr. Hendrickson & railroad industry, why don't you comment or publish why it takes so long for Metra to let investigating officers view video to help determine what had happend? If there was an accident that needed to be viewed for evidence, one would assume that would have been the 1st step taken that day.

Additionally, investigating officers as a rule do not speak with press; they are often forbid to do so by their superiors. Departments delegate their public relations to their chiefs and certified public-information officers.

Darren, as I stated in my comment, the medical examiner was not at the scene......so stating in court that she was suicidal would not hold water one bit. A medical examiner can tell you 'Cause of Death'. That she died of mutiple injuries as cause of death, yes this is factual.......no brainer there,.....she was struck by a train. I agree with police officials. What facts does the medical examiner have that they dont to make that assumption? My 'Rage' as you would put it, is simply more of a concern as to why you, the editors, would label this woman as suicidal to your readers when in fact the police are still investigating. Yes I do understand you have a 'medical examiner' give you this information but is that enough for you to write her off as suicidal? Do you not ask or care what led the medical examiner to believe this. Or is this simply enough for you to go ahead write her off that way. I understand you are writing & stating facts that are given to you........but my question is, why do you headline suicide without supporting facts even from a medical examiner. Sounds more like hearsay. I feel as a reader that update was poorly headlined in the matter that you led others belive that this woman committed suicide without explaining facts.

Where on earth are you getting your numbers from? Without a source they are TOTALLY invalid.

Also, you avoided my questions. They are totally relevant. LaGrange is a train town. It's part of the culture, and everyone respects the fact that they will kill you, which is why the accidental death rate is Almost non-existent.

I understand Daniels anger and I too am angry that this was deemed a suicide without any other evidence other than the medical examiner. He is right the medical examiner wasnt there so they couldnt know that. If any of you repoters had known this woman personally you would know that she wasnt suicidal! And for those of us who did know her she had alot to live for ! There was family that she left behind so maybe instead of printing articles that are NOT factual you should be investigating and then printing whats factual.