Man seriously injured after freight train collides with vehicle in Harvard

In the early hours of Thursday morning, a serious accident occurred in Harvard, Illinois, when a freight train collided with a vehicle at the McGuire Road railroad crossing at approximately 2:24 a.m. Fire crews were alerted to the scene where the vehicle was reported to be fully engulfed in flames upon their arrival. This shocking incident prompted immediate action from the Harvard Fire Protection District. Fortunately, the fire crews were able to locate a man who had been ejected from the vehicle and found approximately 20 feet down in a nearby ravine. The severity of his injuries necessitated urgent medical attention, and he was subsequently transported to a hospital in Rockford to receive treatment for serious injuries sustained in the crash. This unfortunate event not only caused injuries but also led to a temporary suspension of inbound and outbound service at the Harvard train station, as both Metra and Northwest Line services were impacted during the emergency response and initial investigations into the incident. Currently, the Metra Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances that led to the collision and is expected to provide updates soon regarding the findings and any pertinent details surrounding the case. People in the surrounding community expressed their concerns and shock over the incident, as local officials stressed the importance of safety at railroad crossings and urged drivers to be especially cautious when approaching these areas. This incident reflects ongoing concerns regarding train-vehicle interactions and highlights the crucial need for awareness at railroad intersections to mitigate the risk of such occurrences in the future.