Elevated train rear-ends another in Chicago

The rear-ending caused minor injuiries "somewhat consistent with a car accident," Fire Chief Dennis Gault said.

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Two slowly-moving commuter trains collided on an elevated train line just north of downtown Chicago on Friday, in the midst of the morning rush hour.

The fire department said 141 people were injured, 16 of them critically. At least two people were taken off the train on stretchers. The injured were taken to 17 different hospitals.

A Chicago Transit spokeswoman said the trains collided as they went through an area known as the "Church Curve." The rail cars came to a stop near Oak Street at Orleans Street, north of the downtown area, said Fire Chief Dennis Gault.

"They bumped into each other in a head-on type of a manner, at low speed," Gault said.

Following the accident, the transit system shut down power to the tracks and set up shuttle buses to ferry passengers around the scene.

"No other trains are passing through, and we've got crews up on the train line," Gault said.

A man who said he was on one of the rail cars said his train was slowing when it was struck.