Train Derails At Chicago's O'Hare International Airport; At Least 32 Injured

At least 32 people were injured after a commuter train derailed at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport early Monday morning. The injuries were non-serious, NBC Chicago reported.

The eight-car Chicago Transit Authority train was pulling into the O'Hare station when it derailed at around 2:50 a.m. The train continued to the end of the platform and collided into the escalators.

"The train actually climbed over the last stop, jumped up on the sidewalk and then went up the stairs and escalators," said Chicago Fire Department Commissioner Jose Santiago, NBC News reported.

Service on the train's Blue Line, where the derailment occurred, was temporarily suspended between the O'Hare station and Rosemont station. Shuttle buses were used to transport passengers to the airport.

Twelve of those injured were listed in fair condition at Resurrection Medical Center. They were treated for bruises, while another seven were treated for neck and back pain at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. Five others were sent to Swedish Covenant Hospital, NBC News reported.

"I thought it was just a hard stop at the train didn't even slow down when it was coming in," a Transportation Security Administration employee told NBC News. "It was chaos...People were freaking out. Trying to figure out what happened. Trying to make sure everyone was okay."

CTA spokesman Brian Steele said they are reviewing surveillance videos and interviewing personnel to determine the cause of the crash. Santiago did not confirm if the driver of the train suffered a medical problem before the derailment. The operator was walking and able to answer questions, NBC News reported.

At the end of the airport's station is a large metal barrier that serves as a shock absorber, or a bumping post.

"It appears as though the train would have been going faster than a train normally berthing at this station would be," Steele told NBC News. "Normally a train pulls in at just a couple miles an hour and pulls into the station. Obviously this train did not stop so speed could be a factor here."