Downers Grove police confirm fatality in Tuesday morning pedestrian-train incident

DOWNERS GROVE — Downers Grove police are investigating a fatal pedestrian-train incident — the second in as many days involving Metra trains along the BNSF rail line, and the third in less than two weeks.

At about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, police confirmed the incident involved a fatality along the BNSF rail line at Forest Avenue and Main Street in downtown Downers Grove.

According to police, a man was attempting to walk around the crossing gates when he was struck by an eastbound train. The man was pronounced dead on the scene, according to a press release.

The release adds that witnesses stated that the crossing gates were down and functioning at the time.

As of noon, the village of Downers Grove reported that the crossing was re-opened, and trains are running again.

On Monday, a pedestrian was struck and killed by a Metra train in Hinsdale. On March 7, a Hickory Hills man was killed along the BNSF railway near Cass Avenue in Westmont. The causes of both fatalities are still under investigation.

Metra said Tuesday's incident involved a train that left Aurora at 9:20 a.m. and was due to arrive into Downers Grove about 9:45 a.m.

"Trains are stopped and the crossing will remain closed as the investigation continues," a police statement said. "Motorists area asked to avoid the area and use the crossings at Washington Street or Belmont Road."