CTA Crash Investigation Continues Despite Government Shutdown

The Harlem Avenue CTA Blue Line stop is open and running its normal service after a collision with another train Monday morning.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) took over the accident scene Monday, and will continue its investigation despite the government shutdown, Associated Press reports. 

Tim DePape, railroad accident investigator for NTSB said Monday investigators are "essential" when they arrive on a scene, and would not be furloughed as part of the shutdown, according to AP. 

The NTSB offices have closed, and a recording at NTSB said, "due to a lapse in funding," the spokesman assigned to the investigation is out of the office. 

The accident occurred about 7:43 a.m. Monday, when a four-car, out-of-service train left a rail yard in Forest Park and hit a stationary train occupied by about 40 people. Officials said 33 people were injured. No injuries were life-threatening. 

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CTA and NTSB officials say they do not yet know how the train started to move or whether anyone was on the train at the time of the crash. The Chicago Tribune reports video footage shows no one in the train. Forest Park Village Administrator Tim Gillian said no one was in the car that hit a stationary passenger car at the Harlem stop according to early information on the crash.

DePape said he will first investigate whether the train's signal system was working properly, then look at whether the train had any mechanical issues. He said the majority of the damage is on the striking train and not the standing train. He said the damage was "extensive," and that the train cannot be used in its current condition.

For Blue Line service information, go to the CTA website.

Related: 

• Reports: No One On Train That Crashed Near Harlem
• CTA Investigating Why Train Started Moving From Rail Yard, Caused Crash
• Injury Count Dropped to 33 in Blue Line Crash
• Service Resumes After Blue Line Crash Near Harlem