CHICAGO, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- A brother and sister, both in their 50s, were hit and killed by a train Thursday while crossing the tracks in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.
According to authorities, just prior to 5 p.m. Thursday, 57-year-old Berry Huddelston and 54-year old Margaret Huddelston were struck and killed by the Illinois Metra Burlington Northern-Santa Fe train while attempting to cross the tracks.
According to relatives of Margaret and Berry, it's likely Margaret was helping her brother, who was blind, when the incident occurred.
"He can't really see," Margaret's daughter LaTanya told the Chicago Tribune.
"It must have been she seen him about to get hit by the train, so she jumped in, but it was too late. We know her. We know she jumped in to try to save him and herself. We know how that went."
According to Metra spokesperson Michael Gillis, the portion of the tracks Margaret and Berry attempted to cross was at the top of an embankment, and despite nearby bridges and viaducts, there is no pedestrian walkway in the area.
Seven trains were ultimately canceled due to investigation and clean-up from the deaths, stranding thousands of commuters in downtown Chicago during rush hour Thursday evening.
BNSF service resumes, with minor delays possible, after 2 killed by Metra train on West Side http://t.co/3TvMsVP3FA pic.twitter.com/JGYRJ7bTQs
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) August 8, 2014
