May 02--Two people died within hours of each other Monday after they were struck by Metra trains in separate incidents, officials said.
One pedestrian died after being struck about 11:15 a.m. by train No. 44 on the Union Pacific West Line in Villa Park, halting inbound and outbound train movement and forcing delays in commutes, officials said. The incident happened near Ardmore Avenue, close to the Villa Park station. Villa Park police said they were conducting a death investigation.
Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile said the duration of the delays was unknown but "extensive" delays were anticipated. Further information about the incident was not known.
Earlier in the day, a pedestrian died after being hit by a Metra train in Bartlett, according to a spokesman for the rail service.
Train No. 2212 was heading east to Roselle to begin its run when it struck the pedestrian near the Bartlett station about 6:40 a.m., Metra said. No passengers were onboard.
Inbound and outbound service on the Milwaukee District West Line experienced "extensive" delays during rush hour, but no delays were reported in the late morning, Reile said. Some commuters were bused to stations where they caught trains downtown.
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Tribune photographer Stacey Wescott and freelance reporter Joseph Ruzich contributed.
