Amtrak Collision

An Amtrak passenger train plowed into the back of a freight train in Chicago's South Side and crushed one end of a boxcar under its wheels Friday, seriously injuring dozens of people. The three double-decker passenger cars of the commuter train remained upright, and most of the 187 passengers walked away unhurt.

Chicago fire fighters were at the scene quickly. Passengers were hurled into the seats in front of them in the accident, and four people had to be pulled from the front of the train, where the engine was located. The cause of the accident is being investigated. The Amtrak train was traveling from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

A passenger who was onboard was treated at the scene. The collision sent 71 people to a dozen hospitals, most of them in stable or good condition, according to the Chicago Fire Department. Five people were taken from the scene in serious to critical condition.

Injured passengers were led to ambulances by Chicago firefighters.

Chicago firefighters carried an injured passenger.

They carried another injured passenger down a railroad embankment

They also helped uninjured passengers down the railroad embankment.

Rescue workers were kept busy transporting injured passengers

Uninjured passengers from the Amtrak train waited to be transported by bus to Union Station.

The scene was a jumble of people as passengers waited to be taken to shelter.