Oxnard Boy, 12, Struck by Amtrak Train

A 12-year-old Oxnard boy, wearing headphones as he crossed a railroad trestle Tuesday, failed to hear the frantic warning of a train’s horn and was struck by an Amtrak engine, Ventura police said.

Aaron Moraga remained in Ventura County Medical Center on Tuesday night after the accident, which occurred about 2:30 p.m. At the family’s request, the hospital declined to release his condition, but police said he appeared to be in “reasonably good condition” when taken to the hospital.

Aaron was walking on a bridge that crosses the Ventura River near Seaside Wilderness Park when the eastbound train approached from behind, traveling about 45 m.p.h. After seeing the boy, the engineer began slowing the train and blowing the horn, said Sgt. Gary Atkinson of the Ventura Police Department.

“It’s absolutely not the train’s fault,” Atkinson said. “He was on his air horn the whole time trying to get the kid’s attention.”

Aaron’s father and another child were also walking on the trestle, but managed to step to the side and let the train pass. Aaron, apparently listening to music on his headphones, did not hear the train at first, Atkinson said.

Police said the boy’s father apparently was not close enough to warn him.

When Aaron finally realized the engine was bearing down on him, he began to run. But the train, which had slowed down considerably, still struck him and tossed him to the side of the trestle, Atkinson said.

Police do not plan to press charges against Amtrak or against the boy, who was breaking the law by crossing the trestle, Atkinson said. It is a law that’s hard to enforce, Atkinson said.

“The fact is, right after this (happened), a whole family with bicycles came over the trestle,” he said.