From the Harvard fire Protection District:
Vehicle vs. Train Crash with Fire and One Serious Injury
On Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 2:24 a.m., the Harvard Fire Protection District responded to the McGuire Road railroad crossing for a reported vehicle versus train crash with a vehicle on fire.
Firefighters arrived at the crossing but were initially unable to locate either the train or vehicle involved.
It was quickly determined that the vehicle had been struck approximately a quarter mile north of the crossing, around a bend in the tracks, and was fully engulfed in flames.
Due to the terrain, a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) was used to transport firefighters and paramedics to the crash scene.
Crews located the vehicle on the southbound tracks and an adult male patient about 20 feet down in a nearby ravine.
In the pouring rain, the patient was removed using rescue equipment, transported back to an awaiting ambulance, and then taken to a Rockford hospital with serious injuries.
Firefighters remained on scene for a period of time ensuring the fire had been fully extinguished and cooled enough for removal companies to begin their work.
The train, a local Union Pacific freight traveling northbound with only five cars in its mixed consist, contained no hazardous materials and did not derail in the incident.
No injuries were reported to the crew, and the male driver was the only reported injury.
The roadway reopened at approximately 5:30 a.m., though delays are expected for commuters on the Metra Northwest Line as a result of the incident.
The crash remains under investigation by the Metra Police Department, and any additional questions regarding the investigation, including cause, fault, or other circumstances of the crash, should be directed to their office.
Photos are courtesy of the Harvard Fire Protection District.
