Semi-Truck Crashes Into CTA Station

According to a fire department spokesman, two people are dead and more than a dozen others injured after a tractor trailer crashed into the stairwell of a Chicago Transit Authority station during rush hour.

Spokesman Larry Langford says the two women killed Friday apparently were walking near the Cermak-Chinatown Red Line elevated train station on the city's South Side when the collision occurred. They were dead at the scene, Fire Department spokeswoman Eve Rodriguez said.

Eighteen people were transported to area hospitals, Rodriguez said. Seven adults and four children were in critical condition, five adults were in stable condition and two adults were in good condition.

Rodriguez did not know the driver's condition, or whether the driver was injured.

Witnesses say the truck didn't appear to slow down before it plowed into the station.

Chicago police say the accident happened about 5:20 p.m.

WBBM reports the tractor trailer truck crashed into the north stairwell of the station, where an escalator carries passengers up to the elevated platform. The crash appears to have caused extensive damage. The truck remains jammed underneath the tracks.

"We're working right now to get into the wreckage to find out if there are any more victims in there, triage anyone we find and deal with the medical situation," said Fire department spokesperson Larry Langford. "And also we're dealing with the structural integrity of the CTA platforms and the glass walls and whatnot that are around the station."

"It's going to take a little time to get to anyone that's in there, but we're moving as fast as we can," Langford added.

Witness Maury said, "I was standing across the street from the entrance to the CTA elevated trains on Cermak, for the Cermak/Chinatown stop. Then, as I looked back towards the entrance of the train station, I saw this tractor trailer truck, and I think the company name is Xtra, he either was coming off the Dan Ryan Expressway or the Stevenson, headed north and you're supposed to make the left on Cermak. He just, like he was out of control, went straight ahead to the base of where the escalator is to the train station."

Authorities are still trying to confirm the cause of the accident.

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[emiyaaytchtweety]

The sad part about it was that she was just goin shoppin to get her graduation dress to graduate lane tech high school i had just recently talk to him 2 mins be for i got the call about the accident if i wasnt stupid enough not to put her on hold to pick up the other line she wouldnt have went down those stairs and the accident wouldnt have happen i blame my self but i no she is in a betta place but i really miss her R.I.P GREATEST ANTIE IN THE WORLD DELISIA ELISE BROWN I LOVE U

[The43501]

i was working shuttle bus service this day from roosevelt to 35th, i didnt know what had happen until my supervisor told me my heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of the 2 victims,and the people who were injured.

[cookiebuddies]

i was in the accident. names leroy

[McDaidUSA]

Excellent job

[photojournlst]

Wow! Great coverage of a horrible accident. This guy can really shoot some video.

[michaelset1234569]

i know two people who die

[freedom9302005]

REST-IN-PEACE

[slimpicturesDOTcom]

this is a great record of that day - keep up this fantastic and important work!

[7089540230]

EXCELLENT VIDEO!!

[chichild]

that day we were being detoured..we went there to pickup some food on wetworth,not knowing what happened..i didn't hear till about 20 minuets after,,so sad.