Dramatic Video Shows Woman Crawl Under Metra Train in Hinsdale

HINSDALE, Ill. — A startling video released by Hinsdale police shows a commuter dangerously crawling under a stopped Metra train at the Garfield Crossing in downtown Hinsdale on Monday morning. The incident occurred around 8:20 a.m., just as commuters rushed to catch inbound trains to Chicago.

The Incident Caught on Video

The footage shows a woman ducking beneath a stationary Metra train in an effort to cross the tracks. Police believe she was attempting to board the inbound Chicago train waiting on the opposite side.

“This is something we do on occasion see,” said Sgt. Thomas Krefft of the Hinsdale Police Department. “Sometimes with stopped freights people will climb over the ladders between cars.”

Officials stressed that the move was extremely dangerous, as trains can begin moving without warning.

Rail Safety Week Awareness

The timing of the video release coincides with Rail Safety Week, a national campaign aimed at reducing accidents and deaths around railways. Police hope the video serves as a reminder of the life-threatening risks people take when ignoring safety rules.

Rail safety advocates, including Dr. Lanny Wilson, have long emphasized education and caution. Wilson lost his 14-year-old daughter, Lauren, in 1994 when the car she was riding in collided with a train in Hinsdale after driving through a downed gate.

Since then, Wilson has dedicated his life to raising awareness through the DuPage Railroad Safety Council, where he serves as chairman.

“At railroad crossings we’re doing much better,” Wilson said, noting that deaths at crossings have dropped to about one-third of what they were at the time of his daughter’s accident.

Community Safety Reminders

Authorities stress that commuters should never attempt to go under or over trains. Instead, they should wait until crossings are clear and signals indicate it is safe to pass. Hinsdale police released the video to reinforce that rail safety must remain a priority, particularly in busy commuter areas.

The Hinsdale video serves as a sobering reminder during Rail Safety Week of how quickly lives can be put at risk by unsafe choices near train tracks. For more Illinois safety updates and local news, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.