Chicago Transit Authority worker dies after fall onto tracks

CHICAGO (AP) - A Chicago Transit Authority worker has died after falling onto the tracks near a train station on the city's Northwest Side.

CTA Spokesman Brian Steele says the 37-year-old woman was working at track level early Saturday morning as a flagger, signaling approaching trains to alert them of nearby track work. A preliminary investigation shows she fell onto the electrified third rail near the Addison Blue Line station.

The Chicago Tribune reports (http://trib.in/1VSiuAC) the Cook County Medical Examiner's office identified the employee as Pearl Hendrix of Markham. She was pronounced dead around 1:50 a.m. at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.

Blue Line service was suspended for about two hours.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com