Man Leaps in Front of Train, Dies
As dozens of people waiting at an Irvine train platform watched in horror, a 23-year-old man jumped in front of an approaching passenger train Saturday morning and was killed.
The man had been waiting with about 30 people at the Irvine Transportation Center when he suddenly stood and jumped in front of the San Diego-bound Amtrak Surfliner, said Irvine Police Sgt. Denny Jenner.
The train was slowing, traveling about 35 mph, but was unable to stop.
It took more than an hour to recover the man’s body, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
None of the 130 passengers aboard the train was injured, although they were forced to wait on the train for three hours while the track was cleared and the investigation was wrapped up.
Police said they confirmed that the man had jumped, not fallen, after viewing a video of the event.
The incident was recorded by a woman who was taping her children playing on the platform moments before the man jumped.
Police provided crisis counseling to some passengers. The incident did not delay other train traffic.
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