2 Girls Killed, 1 Hurt in Amtrak Train Crash in Western Springs — What Happened?
Quick answer: Two girls were killed and one other person was injured when Amtrak train No. 381 struck a vehicle at a railway crossing in Western Springs, Illinois, on the morning of Wednesday 11 November 2026. The two girls were elementary school pupils in Pleasantdale School District 107. No one on the train was hurt.
Key facts
- What: Amtrak train struck a vehicle at a railway crossing
- Where: Wolf Road, Western Springs, Illinois, United States — about 20 miles west of Chicago
- When: About 8 a.m. on Wednesday 11 November 2026
- Deaths: 2 girls, both elementary school pupils
- Injured: 1 person, taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood; condition not disclosed
- Train: Amtrak No. 381, westbound from Chicago Union Station to Quincy; 35 passengers and crew, none hurt
- Emergency number: 911
- Status: Investigation continuing; names had not been released
What happened
At about 8 a.m. on Wednesday 11 November 2026, Amtrak train No. 381, travelling west from Chicago Union Station to Quincy, hit a vehicle on the tracks at the Wolf Road crossing in Western Springs, according to Amtrak and a statement from the village of Western Springs. The train struck the vehicle at the crossing in the west suburban village, about 20 miles west of Chicago.
Two girls in the vehicle were killed. A third person in the vehicle was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. Their condition had not been disclosed. The Cook County medical examiner's office had not released the girls' names, although they had been identified as female.
Pleasantdale School District 107 said in a statement that two of its elementary school students had been the victims in the crash. Superintendent Dave Palzet said: "Words cannot express the heartbreak and sorrow we feel as we mourn this devastating loss. We extend our deepest condolences to the family. Our thoughts, prayers, and support are with them. ... This loss will affect everyone in our school family and in the greater Pleasantdale school community."
No one on the train was injured. Amtrak said none of the 35 passengers and crew were hurt. Passengers were moved to a bus to continue west, with the bus making all the regular train stops between La Grange and Quincy.
Whether the crossing arms were lowered at the time of the collision had not been confirmed, and no other details about how the vehicle came to be on the tracks had been provided. Several law enforcement and emergency response teams were at the scene as the investigation continued. The village of Western Springs had not provided further updates on the accident.
Disruption to rail services
The crossings at Grand Avenue and Wolf Road were closed after the crash, while Lawn Avenue remained open. People were asked to avoid the area until further notice.
The tracks are also used by Metra's BNSF line, which announced significant cancellations. Inbound and outbound BNSF trains ran only between Union Station and La Grange Road, and between Aurora and Hinsdale, with no service between Stone Avenue and Highlands. Metra warned that crowding on remaining trains could be severe and advised passengers to plan on alternative transport if possible. A Metra spokesperson said that while the tracks were undamaged and some trains had passed through on Wednesday night, crew rest-hour requirements could carry delays into early Thursday, though service was expected to be close to normal.
Where it happened
Western Springs is a village in Cook County, Illinois, about 20 miles west of Chicago. Illinois recorded 1,177 motor vehicle crash deaths in 2024 — 9.3 per 100,000 people, rank #38 of 51 US states, with speeding a factor in 36% of them. Live reports and the full statistics are on the Illinois car accidents page. Official police crash data for the area is mapped on the Chicago crash map. United States as a whole records an estimated 43,520 road deaths a year (WHO rate 12.8 per 100,000). In an emergency in United States dial 911; from most GSM mobile phones 112 also connects to local services. See the United States live accident page for everything reported there in the last 24 hours.
Road safety in United States: the numbers
United States has a WHO-estimated 12.8 road deaths per 100,000 people — below the global average of about 15, ranking #107 of 195 countries by death rate. Across its population that works out to roughly 43,520 estimated deaths every year. Over the last two decades the rate has fallen by about 20% — see the full trend chart on the United States tracking page. Driving rules for visitors — speed limits, alcohol limit, which side of the road — are on the United States driving laws page.
Rail crossings and safety
- Never beat the barrier: a loaded train needs over a kilometre to stop
- At uncontrolled crossings, stop, look and listen both ways before committing
- Report failed signals or stuck barriers to the rail operator immediately
- Inside a train, aisle-facing seats and knowing the exits improve your odds
What happens next
The investigation continues, with law enforcement and emergency teams at the scene. The rail safety authorities will examine the crossing, signalling and the circumstances of the collision; an interim report is normally published within weeks, and a final report can take a year. We update the United States live page as new reports surface; the original outlet linked below will carry the confirmed figures first.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/11/11/2-dead-1-hurt-in-amtrak-train-crash-in-western-springs
Frequently asked questions
How many people died in the Western Springs Amtrak crash?
Two girls died. Both were elementary school pupils in Pleasantdale School District 107. Their names had not been released by the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Where did the Amtrak crash happen?
At the Wolf Road railway crossing in Western Springs, Illinois, about 20 miles west of Chicago. Amtrak train No. 381, travelling from Chicago Union Station to Quincy, struck a vehicle on the tracks at about 8 a.m. on Wednesday 11 November 2026.
Was anyone else hurt?
One other person in the vehicle was injured and taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. Their condition had not been disclosed. None of the 35 passengers and crew on the train were hurt.
What caused the crash?
The cause had not been officially confirmed. It had not been stated whether the crossing arms were lowered at the time, or how the vehicle came to be on the tracks. The investigation was continuing.
What is the emergency number in United States?
Dial 911. From most GSM mobile phones, 112 also reaches local emergency services.
In this story
- United States: live accidents and road deaths
- Driving laws in United States
- Illinois crash statistics
- Illinois traffic deaths so far this year
- Train derailments map and list
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