Friday, January 28, 2011

New Details Confirm Train Death Was Suicide

A Barrington police report reveals Barbara Russ had attempted suicide several times.


A report issued by the Barrington Police Department offers new details in the Metra train related death that occurred on Friday.

An eastbound Metra train struck 62-year-old Barbara Russ of North Barrington just after 7 a.m. Friday at the Barrington Train Station.  According to the police report, Barbara Russ was still breathing but unconscious when help arrived.  She was transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, where she later died.

Lake County Coroner Richard Keller has ruled the death a suicide.  The Barrington police report on the incident supports Keller's ruling.

The report indicates that Barbara Russ' husband, Allan Russ, told police he was sure this was a suicide, because his wife has been battling depression and made several suicide attempts in the past. 

The morning of the incident, Allan Russ said he planned to take his wife to the doctor to receive electrical shock therapy.  He told police that Barbara Russ was concerned about finding bobby pins to secure a wig and bandana to her head.  He took a shower to prepare for the appointment, and when he was finished, his wife was gone. 

Allan Russ said he assumed she went to the store to buy bobby pins, however her purse and cell phone were left inside of the house.  He told police he became concerned and left the house to look for Barbara Russ.  As he was entering the parking lot of the Barrington Train Station, Barrington police called. 

Metra engineer Ricardo Garcia was driving the train that struck Barbara Russ.  Garcia told Barrington police it appeared that she tossed her umbrella backwards and jumped in front of the train.  Once Garcia saw her jump, he immediately pulled the emergency brake.  The train was moving about 30 to 35 miles per hour on impact.
Several witnesses gave similar statements to police.  Neil Harris said he also observed Barbara Russ throw her umbrella behind her and jump on the platform just as the train was pulling in. 

Barrington Police say the position and location where the umbrella was found indicates that Barbara Russ did throw it behind her while jumping off of the platform. 
The topic of suicide by train is nothing new in Barrington.  Barrington Patch has written an extensive report on the apparent suicide outbreak in the community and what people are doing to help combat the issue.