More |
Worker Struck, Killed By Passenger Train In La Mirada
POSTED: 3:44 pm PDT May 7,
2008
UPDATED: 6:44 pm PDT May 7,
2008
LA MIRADA, Calif. -- A man who was working near train tracks at a La Mirada intersection was struck and killed by an Amtrak train Wednesday while trying to move a piece of equipment out of the train's path, officials said.
Images
Xavier Arriaga, 24, of Hesperia, was struck by a southbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train bound for San Diego around 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of Valley View Avenue and Stage Road.Vernae Graham, spokeswoman for Amtrak, said Arriaga was a contractor doing work for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. None of the 140 passengers and crew aboard the Amtrak train, which left at 6:45 a.m. from San Luis Obispo and was en route to San Diego, was injured, she said.Jason Zuhlke of the Whittier Police Department said Arriaga was trying to move a piece of equipment, which is used to compact fresh asphalt, out of the way when he was struck by the train.
"Feeling the machinery was too close to the adjacent track, Xavier began moving the tool by turning his body and back away from the train," Zuhlke said. "While doing so, a ladder on the side of the train, used for boarding, struck Xavier as the train traveled at approximately 77 miles per hour. He was then pulled under the train and came to rest approximately 30 feet away."Train traffic was brought to a halt in the area until about 5 p.m. while the investigation continued. The Amtrak train was stopped on the tracks just south of the intersection.Graham said one northbound Amtrak train out of San Diego was canceled, and those passengers had to be placed on another train.The Metrolink Orange County and 91 Line trains, which share the same tracks, were also delayed.
Images
Xavier Arriaga, 24, of Hesperia, was struck by a southbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train bound for San Diego around 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of Valley View Avenue and Stage Road.Vernae Graham, spokeswoman for Amtrak, said Arriaga was a contractor doing work for Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway. None of the 140 passengers and crew aboard the Amtrak train, which left at 6:45 a.m. from San Luis Obispo and was en route to San Diego, was injured, she said.Jason Zuhlke of the Whittier Police Department said Arriaga was trying to move a piece of equipment, which is used to compact fresh asphalt, out of the way when he was struck by the train.
Copyright 2008 by KNBC.com and KNBC (NBC4 Los Angeles). All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.










