Man Critically Injured While Racing Metrolink Train on Foot

A pedestrian trying to race a Metrolink train to a crossing Friday was critically injured, and his arm and leg severed, when the train slammed into him at 65 mph, Metrolink officials said.

The unidentified man, estimated to be in his mid- to late-30s, was taken to Pacifica Hospital of the Valley in Sun Valley with massive internal and head injuries, police said.

“He is very lucky to be alive,” said Heidi Ansell, spokeswoman for Pacifica, three hours after the accident. “We’re fighting real hard to keep him alive.”

The accident happened about 6:40 p.m. near Van Nuys Boulevard and San Fernando Road, according to police.

“The train engineer reported a pedestrian darting out in front of him,” said Metrolink spokesman Peter Hidalgo. “He appeared to be trying to beat the train.”

Two crew members and about 350 train passengers, en route to Canyon Country from Union Station, were not injured, Hidalgo said.

The man carried no identification, hospital officials said.

The incident was the second Metrolink accident this year, according to Hidalgo.

Not counting suicides, there have been 29 deaths involving Metrolink trains since they began running in October 1992, he said. Eleven deaths have been classed as suicides.