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CTA Worker Hospitalized After Touching Third Rail On Yellow Line

SKOKIE, Ill. (CBS) -- A CTA employee suffered flash burns to his face on Tuesday, when he was shocked as he apparently made contact with the third rail along the Yellow Line in north suburban Skokie.

The employee was working with a shovel along the northbound tracks of the Yellow Line, about two blocks from the Oakton Street station, according to a CTA spokesperson.

The employee was hit by a flash of electricity, and suffered burns to his face, and was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, in fair condition, according to the Skokie Fire Department.

Although he was working with a shovel that might have touched the third rail, the fire department said the shovel was plastic, and was intact after the incident, so likely was not a factor in the worker's injury.

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