Blog

MATTESON, Ill. (WLS) – A local spokesman said a train derailed in the southern suburb of Matteson on Thursday morning.

Helicopter 7 was over the scene at about 11:30 a.m. and several railroad cars were derailed in the area of ​​21740 Main St.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The spokesman said it was a Canadian National Railway Company train.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, but officials were investigating a leaky train car.

SEE ALSO: NTSB announces cause of poison gas train crash in East Palestine, Ohio, in 2023

It was not immediately clear what was leaking from the carriage.

The village spokesman said a white powdery substance that leaked from a car had been tested by CN and was not dangerous.

Residents within one mile south of Main Street and 217th Street, one mile west of Main Street, and one-quarter mile east of Main Street are required to evacuate as a precaution.

The mandatory evacuation order also applies to residents of Main Street from the tracks south to Sauk Trail, as well as residents of 218th Street, 218th Place and Charles Street.

The village spokesman said residents should “plan for a long-term evacuation” and “take with them any medicines and supplies” they may need.

A CN spokesman said emergency crews were responding to the incident. He said about 10 train cars carrying “various substances” derailed.

Metra Electric inbound and outbound trains from Chicago to University Park were impacted for several hours, but were cleared to travel through the area again around 1:30 p.m.

Some residents said they did not hear or smell the derailment and were therefore shocked when police showed up at their door and told them they had to leave the building.

It was not immediately clear why the train derailed.

In a Facebook post, the village of Richton Park announced that all hazardous materials had been airlifted from the construction site.

This is a developing story; check back with ABC7 Chicago for updates.