Lake Forest Sophomore Killed By Train
Scene of the pedestrian-train fatality on Monday in Lake Forest.
By Adrienne Fawcett
A 15-year-old Lake Forest High School student was struck and killed by a southbound Metra train on the Union Pacific railroad tracks Monday, Jan. 9, at 6:56 a.m. near Western Avenue and Ryan Place in Lake Forest. His name was Farid Hussain and he was a sophomore.
Lake Forest Police Deputy Chief Glenn Burmeister said witnesses saw the young man drop a backpack before running in front of the train when the warning devices were operating. The witnesses were driving eastbound and were stopped at the crossing because the gates were down, he said. They are LFHS students.
The student, a resident of Lake Forest, did not have an ID on him. He was later identified by the school principal, said Deputy Chief Burmeister.
The boy was thrown some 75 feet. He did not die on impact, and was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he was pronounced dead, said Chip Pew, who runs the railroad advocacy and education group Operation Lifesaver for the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Police and the Lake County Coroner notified the boy’s parents. About mid-day, LFHS sent an email to parents of students enrolled at the school. Here is the text of the email:
It is with great sorrow that I share the news that one of our students, Farid Hussain (Class of 2014), was hit by a Metra Train early this morning and has died.
Social workers and counselors met with students in some of Farid’s classes today to provide support. Additionally, throughout the week we will have social workers and counselors on call if your child needs to talk to someone about this sad event. Please inform your child they are welcome anytime in the social workers office conference room (160J) on the first floor.
Thank you for your continued support of all our students and each other. This is especially important during times of need. We send our deepest sympathies to the Hussain family as the LFHS school community mourns this loss.
For further support information please read National Association of School Psychologists “Death and Grief: Supporting Children and Youth”
At 1:25 p.m., the LFPD issued the following press release:
CommentsPedestrian hit by a Train – Case Number 12-298
At approximately 6:56 a.m., on January 9, 2012, The Lake Forest Police Department received a 911 call from the intersection of Western Avenue and Ryan Place. A motorist and other witnesses reported a pedestrian walked on the tracks in front of a Southbound Metra train on the Union Pacific Railroad Tracks. Lake Forest Fire Department Paramedics responded and transported the victim in very serious condition to Condell Hospital in Libertyville Illinois where he was pronounced dead.
The victim was later identified as a juvenile, male, age 15, from Lake Forest. Lake Forest Police assisted the Lake County Coroner in making notification to the family.
Railroad service was delayed for approximately 79 minutes during the investigation and was restored at approximately 8:15a.m.
Such a tragedy. Prayers are with him and his family.
So very, very sad. Our thoughts and prayers go out Farid and his family.
Too young and so very sad. We will keep his family in our prayers.
Prayers for Farid
RIP. We will keep him in our thoughts, prayers.
This is truly a tragedy, I feel bad for everyone involved. However, I would like to know if this was due to bullying, if so something needs to be done.
too young, and too soon. my hopes and prayers go to farid and his family.
A young soul lost too soon. My prayers are for him, his family, his friends, and those who witnessed
the tragic event. Everyone please remember that God does not judge you by a single event in your life and you should not judge yourself by a single event either.
Farid, was an exceptional young man. He was a good student, super nice, and had mare creativity than anyone I have met in a long time. He will be dearly missed by myself and my friends. Farids unnecessary death goes to show that bullying kills. My prayers go to his family, and I would like the Hussain’s to know how great Farid was. He was the type of kid that could run for president and win by a sweeping landslide. Thank you for reading, about my dear classmate, Farid Hussain.
The train i was on this morning was stopped by this and i was almost in tears thinking about how a life was taken so early.
Prayers to the family and friends, truly sorry for what happened
A tragic story. Teens are so vulnerable. Let us all remember Fahrid and honor his memory through our actions and responses when we see a young person suffering.
RIP! You will be missed. Karma will always find the the deserving.
Hearts are breaking in our community over this tragic loss. My daughter knew Farid and shared sweet and funny stories with me about happier times during LFHS theater productions. While I didn’t know Farid, I loved him as the mother in me loves all kids struggling to make sense out of their lives during the tough middle school and high school years. Prayers and peace to the Hussain family.
Dear GazeboNews readers,
We appreciate comments, and condolences in this case especially are very meaningful. But please don’t use the GazeboNews comment form to speculate about this young man’s state of mind or what was going on with him. If you have real information or feel it’s important to share insights about what you think may or may not have been going on, you should contact LFHS and talk to Principal Jay Hoffman, or talk to a school counselor. Or email me and I’ll try to find another appropriate contact for you (adrienne@gazebonews.com).
I’ve removed most of the speculative comments posted to this story so far–it just did not feel right to keep them.
To the family and friends of Farid–I am so sorry for your loss.
Adrienne Fawcett
My heart goes out to the Hussain family. May peace be with you in this time of loss and grief.
Tragic thing to wake up to this morning. Thinking of the family and friends of the victim, RIP. May you be happier now than you have ever been before.
You are truly missed… RIP Farid, may God bless you and your family and to the kids who are fully scarred of this image of seeing such a tragic event. May God let you heal and cope with this pain that is so staining, that you shall feel soothing and find good in this tragic event.
Very tragic in so many ways. It really puts things in perspective as to what is really important. My sincerest condolences to the Hussain family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
RIP Farid
A tragic loss and an exceptional young man taken too early. sincerest condolences to the family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
The Ragdale community is terribly saddened to learn of Farid’s death on Monday. He was one of the most brilliant and delightful students that we have ever had at the High School Writing Intensive. Staff, residents and fellow high school writers all enjoyed his energy and humor during a wonderful week last July. We were especially impressed that the students all bonded into a great, supportive group of writers. We will remember him always at Ragdale.
Susan Tillett, Executive Director, Ragdale Foundation
The Hussains were good friend of us and when we lived in Chicago we got chance to spend time and know Farid, such a wonderful kid….I heard the news in London from a friend in Malaysia….totally gutted…pray the family has patience and strength to bear this great loss.