"The train operator did a wonderful job—all the training paid off—as did all the people on the train. Everyone remained calm, held hands and came up in single file," said Chicago Fire Commissioner Raymond Orozco.
During the Tuesday afternoon rush hour, the rear of an eight-car Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line train derailed. Debris from under the train caught fire, filling the subway tunnel with smoke.
The train, en route to O'Hare Airport, was leaving the downtown Clark and Lake station shortly after 5 p.m. when the operator discovered that something was wrong and stopped the train. He later led passengers through the subway tunnel and out of the safety hatch.
Many passengers were understandably shaken from the incident. Perhaps out of a fear of terrorism—news of a bomb on a train in India was heard earlier that day—some were convinced they heard an explosion. But officials maintain that it wasn't the case.
"All we had was a fire," said Orozco. "Everyone we talked to don't mention an explosion...They may have [heard] something because of the derailment."
Although some passengers claimed that the event nearly descended into chaos, everyone was eventually evacuated safely.
"There was remarkable restraint and orderliness, that is what was incredible," said CTA president Frank Kruesi. "Obviously it is a scary situation because there's smoke—it's much darker, but people were following orderly direction."
Scores of people received mostly minor smoke-related injuries as well as cuts and bruises—152 people were taken to 12 different hospitals. Elderly passengers and those suffering from asthma and other previous conditions were heavily impacted from the smoke inhalation with two still in critical condition. A handful of passengers declined treatment.
Orozco said it appeared that the wheels on the last car of an eight-car train somehow left the tracks, but a further investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board is underway. Estimates suggest that it could take up to a year to discern the cause of the accident. Bomb and arson detectives were on the scene but no evidence suggesting foul play was discovered. There was, however, praise for those involved in the incident.
"The courage that all the firefighters, police and CTA personnel had, and the way people came out, holding hand to hand. The CTA motorman did an excellent job. [I] have to praise him, he saved a lot of lives," said Mayor Daley.
Service to the Blue Line train was back on schedule by Wednesday morning.
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