Ventura Man Killed When Amtrak Train Slams Into Him

VENTURA — A Ventura man was killed Saturday when an Amtrak train slammed into him as he stood on a trestle over the Ventura River near the city’s downtown, officials said.

None of the 60 passengers aboard the train was injured, officials said, but service to San Diego was interrupted for about two hours as authorities investigated the scene.

The man, identified only as a 34-year-old Ventura resident, was standing on the tracks with another man and made no attempt to move as the eastbound train approached a river bridge, said conductor D. E. Mayo.

Mayo said he blew his whistle several times and immediately began braking the five-car passenger train, which was traveling at 45 m.p.h., when he spotted the man from about a quarter-mile away.

“Certainly there was enough time for him to get out of the way,” Mayo said. “But he just looked at us and didn’t get off.”

Ventura Police Officer Doug Driver said identification, including an address, was found on the body. But authorities would not release the man’s name until relatives have been notified, Deputy Coroner Mitch Breese said.

The accident occurred about 2:20 p.m.

Brakeman Wayne V. Percival said he saw the man walking on the bridge moments before the train hit him. “There was plenty of room for him to get out of the way,” he said.

Other witnesses said the victim and the other man were jumping from one rail to the other while facing the oncoming train. The other man was unharmed, police said.