The 1971 Tonti Train Wreck, one of Illinois’ most tragic transportation disasters, took an unexpected turn Thursday morning as remains believed to belong to two individuals were recovered from a body bag during an effort to identify an unknown victim. The derailment, which occurred on June 10, 1971, just northwest of Salem in Tonti, Illinois, resulted in 11 fatalities, 163 injuries, and the derailment of Amtrak’s City of New Orleans passenger train carrying 211 passengers.
The team working to identify the remains, led by Jennifer Randolph, Case Management and Operations Director of the DNA Doe Project, was surprised when they began examining the contents of the body bag. Randolph revealed that parts from two different bodies were inside.
“There are two individuals represented,” Randolph explained. “One appears to be a juvenile, with some teeth and other parts that we weren’t expecting to see. We weren’t expecting to find a young child, and there are also parts more compatible with being an adult.”
This discovery raises new questions about the identities and the possible presence of additional victims from that tragic event. Randolph emphasized the need for further research. “We will be investigating all known victims, which will help us during the genealogy phase. If we can establish family trees for some of the known victims, we might find that some of these remains are from a known victim and have become mixed, which is understandable in a mass casualty event,” she said.
Randolph and University of New Hampshire Anthropologist Amy Michael also discussed the possibility that a second, previously unknown child victim might be among the remains. They described the case as one of the most unusual they have encountered.
“It’s hard to say what’s the most unusual, because every case has surprises,” Michael stated. “This case throws some unexpected curveballs. I was encouraged by how well-preserved the remains are, which bodes well for DNA extraction.”
Samples were prepared Thursday to be sent to a lab for DNA analysis. The process is expected to take approximately six months, with results matching the DNA against genetic genealogy databases to help identify the individuals.
Both Randolph and Michael praised Salem college student Henry Morton for his efforts in exhuming the body and coordinating community involvement. They credited his dedication with advancing the project and building community interest in Salem.
Exhumation began Thursday morning, with Merz Vault Company and Salem Public Works employees working together to carefully retrieve the casket from the ground. The burial vault was opened at Merz Vault Company, and the body bag was transported to Crouse Funeral Home for further examination. Additionally, x-rays were taken at Salem Township Hospital to aid in analyzing the remains.
As the investigation continues, authorities remain hopeful that these findings will shed new light on the 1971 tragedy, helping bring closure to the victims’ families and the community.
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