Two elementary school students were killed Wednesday when the vehicle they were traveling in was struck by a train in Western Springs, the superintendent of the West Suburban Children’s School District said in a statement.
“We are heartbroken to announce that two Pleasantdale Elementary School students lost their lives this morning in a train accident in Western Springs. Our deepest condolences go out to the family as our entire school community mourns this tragic loss,” said Dave Palzet, superintendent of Pleasantdale School District 107, in a statement sent to NBC Chicago.
The deadly collision occurred around 8 a.m. when an Amtrak train from Chicago to Quincy struck a vehicle on the tracks on Wolf Road, officials said. Both children were killed and a third person was transported to a nearby hospital. A large plume of smoke could be seen rising from the fiery crash in the aftermath.
Staff and homeroom students in the Pleasantdale School District, which spans kindergarten through eighth grade, were notified of the incident by school social workers Wednesday afternoon, although Palzet said the district is not releasing students’ names or their ages.
“Words cannot express the heartbreak and sorrow we feel as we mourn this devastating loss,” Palzet said in a message posted on the district’s website. “We intend to create the safest emotional space for your child to process this loss. Our crisis response team met with students and staff today and will be available to communicate with students over the coming days and weeks.”
Counselors and crisis staff will be at Pleasantdale Elementary School on Thursday to continue to support staff and students, Palzet said. He also encouraged parents to talk with their children about the deadly incident.
A video and photo from the scene showed the car destroyed on the train tracks.
“This loss will affect everyone in our school family and the greater Pleasantdale school community. Students may have difficulty coping with these losses, and we encourage you to talk about this with your child,” he said. “Reaffirm that your child is safe and loved. Affirm that your child’s reaction is normal, that you understand how they feel, and that they are allowed to feel this way.”
He also encouraged parents to allow their children to talk about their feelings and suggested writing notes or letters so that children could more easily express feelings they might be experiencing for the first time.
“Tell the truth. Talk about dying rather than ‘falling asleep’. Watch for changes in behavior, such as aggression or withdrawal/isolation. Help children get back to as normal a routine as possible,” he said.
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