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Car breaks down on tracks, struck by train

An outbound Metra train struck an unoccupied car near the Des Plaines train station during the Friday evening rush hour, authorities said.

The vehicle broke down as it was crossing the tracks about 5:30 p.m., but the driver was able to get out safely before the train hit the car, said Battalion Chief Mike Tripicchio of the Des Plaines Fire Department.

No injuries were reported.

Both inbound and outbound trains moved slowly through the station, located near River Road and Northwest Highway, as emergency crews worked Friday night to clear the tracks. Trains were operating 30 to 60 minutes behind schedule, according to Metra.

The No. 633 Union Pacific Northwest Line train involved in the crash was traveling from Chicago to Harvard.

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