UPDATE: Boy Hit By Train Doing Much Better--Barrington 220
The 11-year-old struck by a Metra train, Dominic Szymanski, is hoping to return to Hough Street School as soon as he is able.
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UPDATE 3:51 p.m., March 18:
Eleven-year-old Dominic Szymanski, the Hough Street Elementary fifth-grader struck by the train in Barrington Friday evening, is doing much better, according to the latest update from Barrington 220. He remains in stable condition with additional surgeries and medical procedures scheduled this week. His family says his spirits are very good and he is beginning to receive cards and well-wishes from his classmates. Dominic is expected to remain in the hospital for several days but is hoping to return to school as soon as he is able.
UPDATE 9:55 p.m., March 16:
Information from District 220
The Hough School student, 11-year-old Dominic Szymanski, injured in Friday's train accident is not yet fully aware of the extent of his injuries. His condition is stable, but doctors now ask that the extent of his injuries remain discreet until he can be informed in a caring and careful way. This is why any previous posts or comments on District 220's social media sites referring to his specific injuries have been removed.
UPDATE 4:19 p.m., March 16
The 11-year-old boy hit by a train is in "good spirits" despite losing a foot, according to the Barrington 220 Facebook page. "Otherwise only scrapes and bruises. Miraculous," according to the district's Facebook page.
The Hough Street School community is gathering support for the family through its Facebook page.
UPDATE 12 p.m., March 16
A passing train apparently obscured the view of the oncoming train which hit a Barrington fifth-grader, Friday night, according to District 220 Chief Communications Officer Jeff Arnett.
"From what I understand from the police, is that he was at Route 59 and Lake-Cook Road, waiting for a passing train. The passing train obscured the view of another train. When he saw that train, it was too late," Arnett said.
The boy is a fifth-grader at Hough Street School and the school community is coming together and providing meals for the family and making cards for the child as he recovers, Arnett said.
UPDATE 9:53 a.m., March 16:
The 11-year-old boy struck by a Metra train on Friday evening is reportedly out of critical condition, District 220 officials report.
"Report from the family and the hospital this morning that he is now out of critical condition but facing a long recovery. The family is very grateful for his improved prognosis and the support of the Hough School community," District 220 Chief Communications Officer Jeff Arnett said.
UPDATE 11:19 p.m.
The 11-year-old boy hit by a commuter train is a student at Hough Street School, according to a communication from Barrington 220 Supt. Dr. Tom Leonard.
Leonard said the boy is in very critical condition at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
"it is important for us to stress this was a heartbreaking accident and not the result of any intentional behavior. The student's family and younger siblings will be in our continual thoughts and prayers throughout the weekend. When everyone returns to school Monday, the close-knit Hough community will provide care and be cared for during this difficult time," Leonard said.
UPDATE 9:36 p.m.:
The following is a news release from the Barrington Police Department:
The Barrington Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene of a pedestrian struck by a commuter train at 6:09 p.m. Preliminary investigation indicates that an 11-year-old male was crossing the tracks at Route 59 north of Lake Cook Road when he was struck by a southeast bound commuter train.
Police officers and a witness administered first aid until paramedics arrived. At which time, he was transported to Lutheran General Hospital. The extent of his injuries are unknown at this time. The investigation is currently being conducted by the Barrington police department.
UPDATE 8:05 p.m.:
Metra trains are moving again along the Union Pacific Northwest line this evening. Trains were at a standstill after a pedestrian was struck just after 6 p.m.
No passengers were on the train at the time of the incident, Metra officials say. The train that struck the teenager originated in Barrington.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A pedestrian was struck by a Metra train in Barrington this evening, Barrington Police confirm.
The incident happened at 6:05 p.m. about a block north of the Barrington train station, according to Metra officials. Detective Sergeant Kevin Croke tells Barrington Patch a teenage boy was struck by the train and taken to Lutheran General Hospital in unknown condition. It's unclear if the incident was an accident at this time.
The following trains are are currently stopped near the Barrington train station: #637 arrives Crystal Lake 6:30 p.m.; #639 arrives Barrington at 6:17 p.m.; #645 arrives Barrington at 6:36 p.m.;#649 arrives Crystal Lake at 7:20 p.m.; #651 arrives Crystal Lake at 7:08 p.m.; #656 arrives Chicago at 6:57 p.m. Delays may be up to 70-90 minutes.
Barrington Patch will have more information as details emerge.
Also see:
Barrington Man Recalls Fight for Train Victim’s Life
Dominic Leaves Hospital, 'Very Happy to be Home'
‘God Bless Every Single Person Who Helped That Kid’
Evelyn
7:55 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Praying
Nancy Benford
8:43 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Way too many train accidents in Barrington! My goodness. Thoughts and prayers for this boy and his family!
Robert Sobczak
9:01 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
I am praying
Heidi Seagren Barringer
10:28 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
Profoundly tragic. Prayers for this young boy. Prayers for his parents and siblings. Prayers to hold them up.
LPS
11:10 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
As a mom with an 11 year old boy who attends a Barrington school, I am praying extra hard that this boy hangs on and gets better. It is too close to home when it could be my own son or one of his friends. God be with this young boy and his family.
Mike
7:35 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013
So sad! My prayers and thoughts go out to him and his parents. Stay strong buddy!!!!
Evelyn
9:08 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Any news? As Barrington parents many of us are praying for this boy. Please keep us updated and let us know if there is anything we can do to help the family with this challenge. Huge sigh of relief that he is still with us and there is still hope for him. Please let us know how he is doing!
Morgan Delack
9:56 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Please read the latest update to the story. I have some new information on his condition.
Lynn J
1:04 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Praying for this little boy and his family
Recovery quickly & completely little bud!
God bless!
SLQ
3:21 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Believe in miracles and the power of prayer as you rally around this family and the precious child, his siblings, and friends and classmates touched by this tragic accident.
Randy
4:10 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Having worked next to the intersection for years, I know exactly what happened one train is leaving the station while another train passes behind it. Having crossed around the same time before its so easy to get hit if you jump the gun and cross before the signals bars go up or the lights stop flashing. The near train is gone and if you assume its safe its not. For some reason it happens a lot at that intersection. If both trains are on time this happens almost all of the time in that intersection. Metra should change the time of one of the trains by a minute and avoid this problem.
Another bad spot for kids is RT 14 & Lake Cook, in the winter when it's dark earlier there are no lights over the cross walk and kids walking home from school get hit on occasion by cars who don't see them in the intersections. The last time a kid got hit by a car, she missed getting killed by a fraction of a second. Someone could easily fix the intersection by adding lights over the crosswalk. But 2 years later no one's done anything. http://www.60010schools.com/ ...
Prayers the boy and his family and to all kids in Barrington who have to deal with these dangerous intersections.
Miguel A Sanchez Jaramillo
4:59 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
We have heard of many train accidents since we move into Barrington 15 years ago.
My prayers are for this boy and his family. God bless.
phil staubach
7:17 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Guess next time he will wait till the crossing arms go up. My thoughts are with the engineer not the kid who cant wait .
Jen Grippo
10:09 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
thats ignorant to say
kpow
3:01 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
what is wrong with you
Gayle Benedetto Szymanski
9:08 pm on Thursday, May 9, 2013
Phil....you should be incredibly embarrassed that your name is associated with such heartless words. My prayers are also with the engineer, but I too, pray to God that you never have to endure such a tragedy in your own life. But if you do, keep in mind that my son, Dominic, was stronger than your condemning, lacking simple compassion and empathy, words of ignorance. You make me sick, Phil.
Dominick Izzo
11:02 pm on Thursday, May 9, 2013
Dear Mr Staubach. My name is Dominick Izzo. I am a graduate of Barrington HS, 1993, a former Police Officer and an advocate of Women's rights thought the vehicle of self defense. I have spent my adult life understanding the nature of predators, rapists, attackers and other individuals who serve no purpose on this planet, all for the means as to keep those I care about safe. They all seem to share a similar quality of empathy for human life the same way you do.
Your ignorant and ill thought words have placed you in line with the feeling of accidentally stepping in dog waste with bare feet or the gut nausea you feel when you watch the news and read about a brother and sister duo who decided to get married.
I help people stay away from men like you. I pray for men like you to drift off quietly in their night's sleep or experience anal prolapse so this planet has the chance to climb a step closer to world peace.
A comment about the engineer is in all of our thoughts as well as the amazing boy, who in the flicker of God's heart beat, became more of a man that you could ever hope to be.
Next time you see those crossing arms, please remember that they do mean "STOP"... and stopping is something you father failed to do while having sex with your mother.
Kindest regards.
K Furlan
6:24 am on Friday, May 10, 2013
Mr. Staubach, my first question would be why? Why on earth would you post something so very hateful of an 11 year old boy? If you had simply stated that your thoughts are also with the engineer, I could understand the above post, but to so diliberately demean the life of a young boy........did it make you feel better? Are your proud of your words? Are you happy that his mother saw that post? I agree in that my prayers are ALSO with the engineer, but truly to belittle someone so much over an accident.....I can't fathom that type of hate. Sir, I would very much like for you to explain what you were thinking at the time you posted this. Clearly you wer drunk, angry at your wife (God help her), or something similar, becuase I can not imagine why you would hate this young man so very much. May God save you, if it is right that he should do so.
Jen Grippo
10:16 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
This incident is not sitting well with me at all. My heart goes out to that poor little boy. My kids attend hough street school and we live in walking distance to the train. I was worried my grandmother was the one struck when she didnt arrive to my house on time and walks a lot . I just can not believe this could happen. The Metra train needs to improve this situation asap so this does not happen ever again. Prayers for the boy and his family and to all kids in Barrington who have to deal with these dangerous intersections.
Joe
8:00 am on Sunday, March 17, 2013
Phil Staubach who posted the ignorant comment above should be ashamed of himself. The whole incident is a shame and our hearts go out to all involved. The innocence and excitement of an 11 year old is pure and very normal at that age. I now include Phil in my prayers. God also forgives ignorant assholes like Phil Staubach too.
Sarah Michelle
10:26 am on Sunday, March 17, 2013
So sad. I do also feel for the engineers who are traumatized by these continual events. Since the Fox River Grove bus accident years ago, I have been a strict rule follower of waiting for the gates to go up before crossing. Maybe someone else's life will be saved because of this tragedy and others will think before crossing.
Chris
8:14 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
Love and prayers to both the child's family as well as the train conductor and his family. Accidents are just that...accidents. By the grace of God go any one of us. Blessings to all involved.
laura
6:33 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
he used to go school with my daughter in buffalo grove and also our neighbor hope he feels better
Hetrack
10:21 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Best wishes Dominic, I am praying for you and know that God will touch your heart and give you joy again. This accident was not your fault, anyone could have done the exact same thing. Pray to God, and you will receive the strength and peace you need. ♡
Maria Panzeca
11:58 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
Fast recovery Dom... Praying for you and your family.
Gayle Benedetto Szymanski
9:10 pm on Thursday, May 9, 2013
For the rest of you - I am grateful and deeply appreciative for your thoughts and prayers for our family and for Dominic during his recovery. Thank you.
Kasia
2:29 pm on Friday, May 10, 2013
@Phil 'douchebag of the year' Staubach - If that is your real name - Congratulations! I am happy to report that your name comes up in search results only in association with your heartless, ignorant comment - followed by a slew of people calling you out on being a total asshole. I'm sure your future employers will find your comments disgusting. Adults have gotten into similar accidents at that intersection. Which you clearly aren't, since you found it necessary to make a nasty comment about a badly injured child. Jerk. Best wishes to Dominic, family, friends, and anyone else involved.