CTA Blue Line briefly stopped after bike rider falls off platform

Tribune Staff report   11:15 a.m. CDT, September 19, 2012

Trains on part of the CTA Blue Line were stopped briefly this morning after a bike rider heading down a ramp at a West Side "L" station lost control and went off the platform onto the tracks, authorities said.

The man was in good condition when taken to John H. Stroger Hospital following the incident about 10:20 a.m. at the Kedzie-Homan station, 530 S. Kedzie Ave., said Meg Ahlheim, a spokeswoman for the Chicago Fire Department.

The victim fell onto the tracks and hurt his leg, police said.

Maps 530 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60624, USA Ads by GoogleThe accident happened when a CTA customer tried to ride a bicycle down a ramp that leads from the station entrance to the platform at the ground level of the Eisenhower Expressway, said CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski.

The bike rider lost control at the bottom of the ramp, and fell onto the tracks, but did not hit the electrified third rail and was not hit by a train, Hosinski said.

Power was turned off briefly on part of the Forest Park leg of the Blue Line, but was restored within about 20 minutes.