Amtrak train evacuated in Lincoln after finding  suspicious bags on board

Send a link to a friend  Share

[October 22, 2017] 

LINCOLN

On Friday morning, passengers on an Amtrak St. Louis to Chicago bound train were evacuated at the Lincoln Depot after someone spotted suspicious bags on the train.

A passenger reported there were possibly two bags, concealed by a blanket that was wet. The bags had been left behind by a passenger who got off the train in Springfield.

Lincoln Police and Fire responded, blocking off traffic and securing the area for the safety of more than 100 passengers who were asked to leave the train.

A bomb sniffing dog was called in from the Illinois State Police.

The train was taken out of town to a safe location where the dog was employed, and found nothing suspicious. The bags were then searched by authorities.

Shortly before 11 a.m., the train was cleared and instructed to return to the Lincoln Depot to retrieve the evacuated passengers.

[to top of second column]

[Nila Smith]

Back to top