Pedestrian hit, killed near Palatine Metra station

A pedestrian was struck and killed on the Metra Northwest line in Palatine during Friday morning rush hour, causing lengthy delays.

The incident occurred around 6 a.m. at the Hale Street and Plum Grove Road crossing. Police said a 39-year-old male walked around the lowered pedestrian gates and was struck by an eastbound train. The flashing lights and audible signals were working at the time, officials added.

The man died at the scene. His identity was being withheld Friday pending notification of next of kin.

Passengers on train 606 continued to Ogilvie Transportation Center aboard train 610. The 608 train, which was directly behind the train that struck the man, was delayed by two hours, according to Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile. Most other affected trains operated about an hour behind schedule.

All three tracks were open and moving by 7:50 a.m., she said.

The incident closed the intersections of Palatine Road and Plum Grove for approximately two hours. It remains under investigation by the Palatine Police and the Metra Railroad Police.