WHEREAS, the City of Chicago observes October 30th as a day of remembrance for the victims of the deadly train crash of Monday, October 30, 1972 at 7:35 a.m. Central Standard time, which is the 50th Anniversary of the incident. On this day we honor the victims ofthis tragedy, expressing heartfelt condolences to the many families of those killed and for the survivors; and
WHEREAS, on Monday, October 30, 1972 at 7:35 a.m. Central Standard time, a tragic train accident occurred when two Illinois Central trains, carrying hundreds of passengers, collided at rush hour; and
WHEREAS, both trains were headed northbound when the rear car of a new double decker train, number 416, was hit by the lead car of an older train, number 720, near the 27th Street station causing devastating damage; and
WHEREAS, the National Transportation Safety Board determined that before the crash, the double decker was backing up after overshooting the 27th Street station; and
WHEREAS, train #720 was an express train and was not scheduled to stop; and
WHEREAS, the NTSB concluded the engineer of #720 was traveling at about 40 mph when it smashed into the rear of #416--seeing the lead train too late; and
WHEREAS, the two trains were carrying passengers from the suburbs and South Side of Chicago to downtown; and
WHEREAS, 44 people lost their lives; and 350 people were injured-- marking it as the worst railroad disaster in Chicago history; and the worst rail crash in the country since 1958; and
WHEREAS, the emotional toll of the crash was profoundly felt throughout the nation effecting countless families and loved ones; and
WHEREAS, we also pay tribute to the heroic actions of the first responders who worked tirelessly with vigor and diligence to rescue victims and administer life saving procedures to hundreds of passengers; and
WHEREAS, the crash occurred about 200 yards from Michael Reese Hospital Complex and within minutes doctors and nurses reached the crash site and climbed through wreck...
Click here for full text