Two people killed after they were hit by a Metra train Thursday have been identified as a Chicago brother and sister.
Berry Huddelson, 57, and Margaret Huddelson, 54, were struck by the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe train #1272 on the elevated tracks near West Cermak Road and South Central Park Avenue at 4:50 p.m.
The express train originated in La Grange and was headed toward Chicago's Union Station. The accident happened about a mile west of the Western Avenue station.
Family friend Michelle Walls said the two were looking for scrap metal when they were struck.
"She was a good person. Anytime you needed her, she was there. Barry, anytime you needed him, he was there. They were close sisters and brother, whenever you see one, you see the other," Walls said.
Walls said Berry Huddelson had vision problems and believes that may have been a factor in the accident.
All trains on the BNSF line, which runs between Aurora and Chicago, were stopped in both directions following the accident, and seven trains were eventually canceled.
Metra officials initially said BNSF would be unable to operate normal rush-hour service Friday morning because several crews were unable to fulfill their federally-mandated rest period. By 5:30 a.m. Friday, however, transit officials said full service had been restored.
Current schedules are posted to the Metra website at MetraRail.com.
