23 injured, 3 seriously in train collision on CTA Yellow Line in Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS)– Twenty-three people were injured when a CTA Yellow Line train struck what appeared to be a piece of snow removal equipment on the tracks at the Howard Rail Yard in Rogers Park.

The crash happened shortly after 10:30 a.m. in the 7500 block of North Paulina Street, according to CTA officials.

Chicago Fire officials said a total of 23 people were taken to hospitals and 15 others refused medical treatment. Three people were hospitalized in serious to critical condition, nine were hospitalized in fair to serious condition and 11 were hospitalized in good to fair condition.

Service on the Yellow and Purple lines was suspended following the collision. Red Line service has been suspended between Howard and Thorndale. Shuttles are available between Howard and Thorndale.

Yellow Line passengers are advised to use the #97 Skokie bus and Purple Line passengers are advised to use the #205 Chicago/Golf bus route as alternatives.

Chicago Avenue is closed between South Boulevard and Howard Street in Evanston. The Evanston Fire Department said the CTA has shut off power to the Red and Purple lines and power will remain off for the next few hours.

After the CTA cut power to the Purple Line, a train got stuck between stops in Evanston and firefighters were able to safely evacuate passengers from that train.