VISTA (CNS) - An investigation was underway into the death of a 48-year-old man who was struck by a Sprinter train while bicycling outside of Vista -- the third death involving a train in the North County in less than a week.
Witnesses told investigators the man was riding east on South Santa Fe Avenue at Woodland Drive shortly after 8 p.m. Monday and crossed onto the tracks about 40 seconds after its crossing gates had lowered and its lights and bells had been activated, sheriff's Deputy Jeffery Houser said.
Houser said that the Sprinter operator had sounded the train's horn as required before reaching the intersection and vehicle traffic in the area had stopped. However, the bicyclist continued onto the tracks.
The train's operator applied its emergency brake but could not avoid striking the man, according to Houser.
Responding medics and deputies attempted to revive the man, and he was taken to a hospital by ambulance, Houser said.
The rider was declared dead at the hospital, Houser said. His Name was not immediately available.
The man's death was the third involving a train in five days.
A 22-year-old man was struck and killed by a northbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train while trying to cross the tracks near the intersection of Grand Avenue and State Street in Carlsbad Village at about 11:20 p.m. Thursday, sheriff's officials said.
Another man was struck and killed by a northbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train while sitting on the train tracks in Encinitas early Saturday. Sheriff's officials said the 40-year-old victim in the apparent suicide on the combined passenger-freight tracks in the 900 block of South Coast Highway 101 near West H Street had been holding his head in his hands and looking downward prior to being struck.