Metra worker struck by train, killed

A Metra worker was killed when he was struck by train as he worked on tracks on the city’s South Side.

Metra officials say 36-year-old Luis Mercado on Friday was working with a crew doing track maintenance on Metra’s electric line when he was struck by the train headed for Blue Island. A spokeswoman said Mercado worked for the rail agency since 2001.

Metra spokesman Michael Gillis says the agency has begun an investigation to determine whether a flagman was in place to warn of approaching trains and rules being followed when the accident occurred.

Trains heading to Chicago’s South Side and its southern suburbs were delayed up to an hour by the accident. Also affected were South Shore trains serving Indiana.