RAILROAD ACCIDENT: SBCC student killed after being struck and dragged by train

May 27, 2010

Santa Barbara – A 23-year-old male student from Santa Barbara City College died instantly after being hit by an Amtrak passenger train near 200 State Street Wednesday evening.

The train, which was reportedly moving at an estimated 35 to 40 mph, was traveling northbound on the way to San Luis Obispo from Los Angeles. According to Santa Barbara Police, traffic control arms were down, warning lights were flashing, and bells were ringing to signal the approach of the train at 200 State.

However, witnesses on the downtown Armak station – mostly schoolchildren ages 8-12 and their teachers and parents – claimed that the man approached the west side of the street, and walked around the control arms and into the path of the train. He was looking toward the station and not on the approaching train.

The train engineer sounded the horn to grab the attention of the victim on the rail and then activated the emergency brake. The victim was able to see the approaching train but it shortly struck him. He was knocked down and dragged beneath the cars, then came to a stop in front of the children.

Rescue personnel and police came at the scene around 5:30 p.m. Lt. Paul McCaffrey said that the children from Santa Maria were "physically upset and were crying and hyperventilating.” Instead of taking the train, buses were brought in to transport them. Even the train’s engineer was too upset to continue driving to San Luis Obispo.

An ID found on his pocket indicated that he was living in a hotel. Authorities will investigate if the man was impaired.