Mull Removing Crash Images: Western Springs Leader

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – The village president of Western Springs on Thursday urged people to consider removing photos and videos of Wednesday's train crash.

Two girls were killed in the crash at the Wolf Road crossing in Western Springs, and an adult was severely injured, authorities said. The children attended Pleasantdale School District 107 in Burr Ridge.

In a statement Thursday, Village President Heidi Rudolph said the online images troubled her. In such tragedies, she said, many instinctively reach for their phones.

"I am concerned by seeing those images and videos being widely shared on social media and with the press," Rudolph said. "A family member could encounter that footage before
becoming aware of what happened, and others, including our children, may see something they are not prepared to see."

She called Western Springs a "train town."

"I urge all residents to use extra care at every crossing: never stop on the tracks, never go around lowered gates, wait for gates to fully rise, and remember that trains are often closer than they appear," she said. "Please keep these families and all those affected by yesterday’s events in your thoughts."