Local News
Pedestrian Fatally Struck by Amtrak Train in South St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, MO – A person was fatally struck by an Amtrak train early Wednesday morning in south St. Louis, according to the St. Louis Fire Department.
The collision occurred in the 4900 block of Connecticut Street near Kingshighway, where emergency responders were dispatched following reports of a pedestrian being hit by a train.
According to Amtrak, the train involved—Train 22, the Texas Eagle—departed San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday and was scheduled to arrive in Chicago by 1:45 p.m. Wednesday.
However, an alert on Amtrak’s website states that the train is currently stopped due to a trespasser incident, indicating that an individual entered the train’s path.
Local authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident, which is expected to cause significant delays.
Officials have not yet released the identity of the deceased or any additional details about how they came into contact with the train.
As the investigation unfolds, Amtrak passengers traveling through the area may experience service disruptions, though it remains unclear how many other trains will be affected.
Our team is actively gathering more information on the impact of the incident on the south St. Louis community and will provide updates as they become available.
HARTFORD, IL — Newly released video footage reveals the harrowing moments of an ARCH Air Medical helicopter crash that occurred during a nighttime training exercise in Hartford, Illinois.
The incident took place around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday in a vacant lot near North Delmar Avenue, directly across from the Hartford Fire Department.
The video shows the helicopter attempting to lift off when one of its rotor blades struck a tree limb approximately 50 feet above ground.
The impact caused the aircraft to lose control, flip, and crash to the ground, where it immediately caught fire.
A thick plume of smoke and the glow of flames could be seen from blocks away.
In the aftermath of the crash, one of the individuals on board — identified in the video by a blue uniform — can be seen walking away from the burning wreckage.
Another survivor is shown being carried on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.
Emergency personnel from the Hartford, South Roxana, and Wood River Fire Departments quickly responded to the scene.
The crash’s proximity to the fire station allowed first responders to act swiftly, containing the fire and rescuing the occupants.
Officials confirmed that all three people aboard the helicopter survived and were transported to area hospitals.
Two were taken by ground ambulance, while a third was airlifted by another ARCH Air Medical helicopter. Their medical conditions have not yet been released.
The crash resulted in a strong odor of aviation fuel that permeated the downtown Hartford area throughout the evening.
Authorities cordoned off the site while crews worked to stabilize the scene and mitigate any fire hazards.
The helicopter was participating in a routine training mission when the incident occurred.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are conducting a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
ARCH Air Medical has not yet released an official statement.
More details will be provided as the investigation continues and additional information becomes available.