LAFD: Woman Struck By Amtrak Train Dies in Chatsworth

Sunday, January 11, 2009

LAFD: Woman Struck By Amtrak Train Dies in Chatsworth

Update: Authorities said the train, Pacific Surfliner 784, originating from San Francisco, was approaching the Chatsworth station. The woman was identified by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office as Myra Mina-Calove, 32, of Woodland Hills.

Victim had been hiking and was walking with her husband and two sisters, who managed to squeeze against the tunnel wall and avoid being hit, according to authorities She was killed instantly when she was struck by a grab bar protruding from the side of a train car, said Los Angeles Police Officer Karen Smith.

On Sept. 12, a Metrolink train, which shares the same track as Amtrak, collided head-on with a Union Pacific freight train, killing 25 people shortly after it left the Chatsworth station.

Woman Struck By Amtrak Train Dies in Chatsworth

On Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 3:54 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, L.A. County Sheriffs, LAPD and a Metrolink Supervisor, under the direction of Battalion Chief Richard Elder, responded to a Physical Rescue Assignment at 22360 W. Devonshire St. in the Chatsworth area.

Firefighters responded to reports of a person struck by a train in the Chatsworth area. On arrival Firefighters found a passenger train stopped inside Tunnel 27. A request was made for all train traffic to cease for the duration of the incident. Fire companies were directed to each end of the tunnel, for the investigation. The responders were approximately 1/2 mile inside the tunnel when they came upon the injured female. The patient, 32 years old, was in was very critical condition as Paramedics tried to assess her. The injured female succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced at the scene.

The train had approximately 400 passengers on board, but none complained of injuries. The Crisis Response Team was requested by the Incident Commander. Companies remained on scene to assist with the body recovery.

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Source: LAFD Blog - Link
Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Sunday, January 11, 2009