Metra honors Mount Prospect response to May 13 crash

Metra officials recognized Mount Prospect this week for the village’s response to the May 13 train collision that took one man’s life.

Alex Clifford, CEO of Metra, and Arlene Mulder, member of the Metra board of directors and mayor of Arlington Heights, appeared before the village board Tuesday to express how impressed they were with the quick, organized and effective emergency response.

Metra credited teamwork, communication and strong leadership for Mount Prospect’s successful response, commending the fire department and police department for their abilities. Metra also emphasized the quickness with which the track was cleared and how greatly it benefited the thousands of commuters.

“Many people got home and didn’t know about the accident until they turned their TV set on,” Mulder said.

The collision occurred about 8:40 a.m. that morning when a truck driver attempted to drive around railroad crossing gates just west of the Cumberland train station, near Mount Prospect Road and Northwest Highway, and was struck by an oncoming train. The crash killed driver, Kazimierz Karasek, 59, of Prospect Heights, and sent 26 Metra passengers to nearby hospitals.

Des Plaines police and fire departments also responded to the collision. Metra recognized their efforts this week.

Mount Prospect Mayor Irvana Wilkes said police and firefighters underwent training for this type of occurrence just a few weeks before the collision, so the response plan was fresh in their minds.

“You got there in three minutes,” Wilkes told the first responders Tuesday. “(The response was) remarkable. We truly appreciate all you did.”