Lake Forest High School student killed by train

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Updated: February 11, 2012 8:13AM

LAKE FOREST — A Lake Forest High School sophomore was killed Monday after being hit by a Metra train at Western Avenue and Ryan Place.

Farid Hussain died at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville following the 6:56 a.m. incident where witnesses said he went under the downed railroad crossing gate and into the path of the southbound Metra Union Pacific North Line train.

“Social workers and counselors met with students in some of Farid’s classes today to provide support,” said Anne Whipple, spokeswoman for the high school. Social workers and counselors will be on call for students throughout the week, officials said. Finals begin Tuesday.

Principal Jay Hoffmann described the 15-year-old as “a smart kid who was in AP (Advanced Placement classes) as a sophomore.”

Besides being a good student, Hussain participated in the high school’s drama program and the Gamers Club.

“He seemed like he really liked school,” Hoffmann said.

While “on the quiet side,” Hoffmann said the Lake Forest teen liked to talk about a diversity of topics.

“He was really well-spoken,” Hoffmann said.

As a freshman last year, Hussain was involved in the production of “Our Town.” As a sophomore, he worked on the school’s adaptation of “A Little Prince.”

In addition to his theatrical interests, Hussain enjoyed spending time in the school library and reading graphic novels, Hoffmann said.

“The parents of his closest friends came in this afternoon to help us with those students,” Hoffman said.

In addition to meeting with Hussain’s classes, a counseling room was open throughout the day for any student or staff member who needed support.

“Our social workers worked real hard this afternoon to meet the needs of the kids,” Hoffmann said.

Lake County Coroner Artis Yancey said there was no apparent motive for why Hussain crossed the tracks in front of the train.

Burmeister said the incident “appeared to be more intentional than accidental.”

“Our thoughts go out to his family, especially his mom, his dad and his siblings,” Hoffmann said of the student.

Hussain had two younger siblings who attend Deer Path Middle School, Hoffmann said.

“We’re sorry for their loss. It’s our loss, too,” Hoffmann said.

High-school-aged students in a car stopped at the railroad crossing headed eastbound saw Hussain, 15, go under the gate and run westbound in front of the Union Pacific North Line train that departed the Lake Forest station at 6:55 a.m., Lake Forest Deputy Police Chief Glenn Burmeister said.

When Lake Forest emergency personnel arrived at the scene, Hussain was still alive and taken immediately to Condell, which is a Level I trauma center for the area. Though Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital is closer, it is a Level II trauma center.

“While most patients in the community can be handled by a Level II trauma center, occasionally a severe trauma with certain criteria need to be transported to a Level I trauma center,” said Jane Griffin, vice president, marketing and physician services at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital.

Burmeister said witnesses did not believe Hussain was using a cellphone or listening device at the time, and police did not find any electronic device at the scene.

All inbound and outbound Metra trains were halted on the line after the accident, according to Metra.