Man killed by train in San Luis Obispo

A 22-year-old man was hit and killed by an Amtrak train shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Foothill Boulevard rail crossing at California Boulevard, San Luis Obispo police said.

The man was on the tracks when he was hit by the northbound train, police Lt. John Bledsoe said.

“It appears to be an accident. There is nothing to indicate otherwise,” Bledsoe said. “He was on foot, walking on the south side of the street within the (railroad) crossing arms. The crossing arms were down and the lights and bells were activated.”

Police and San Luis Obispo firefighters responded to the scene and immediately began life-saving efforts before taking the man to a local hospital. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, the man was pronounced dead.

Bledsoe said he could not immediately confirm a report that the victim was wearing headphones when he was hit by the train. Police are not identifying him until his family is notified.

A passenger who didn’t want to be named said the train was proceeding along California Boulevard when he felt the train jerk because of some sort of impact. After the train stopped, he said, the conductor came on the intercom and announced the train had hit a pedestrian.

After the investigation at the scene, the train was backed up to the Amtrak station, where passengers were unloaded and a new crew was brought on. At about 7 p.m., the passengers reboarded, and the train resumed its trip north.

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 6:55 PM with the headline "Man killed by train in San Luis Obispo."