Metrolink train hits pedestrian in Burbank
A pedestrian was hit by a Metrolink train in Burbank this morning, temporarily delaying service on the Ventura County line, officials said.
The unidentified person was walking on the tracks about 9.20 a.m. at the downtown Burbank station when Train 110 came by, said Metrolink spokeswoman Angela M. Starr.
Starr said the person was taken to a hospital. She did not know if the victim was a man or woman.
Trains were scheduled to operate on one track through Burbank until authorities had completed their investigation, Metrolink officials said.
“All trains are moving. Everything’s back on line,” Starr said.
In related developments, the transit agency today announced ongoing efforts to enhance public safety, with the activation of Automatic Train Stop technology at an additional 49 priority locations throughout its rail system in Orange and Ventura counties, and the San Gabriel and Antelope valleys.
The train-stopping technology includes inductors placed next to the track at locations where the train is approaching a curve, or speed change, according to information published on Metrolink's website. An alarm sounds and a flashing alert on the engineer’s control panel are activated when the train passes over the inductor.
If the engineer fails to push a button acknowledging the alert within about eight seconds, the train’s brakes are automatically applied, according to details provided by the agency.
Earlier this month, Metrolink became the nation’s first railroad system to install “inward-facing video cameras” on its entire locomotive fleet, according to officials at the agency, which serves regional commuters in Southern California.
--Ann M. Simmons
Photo: A map of previous Metrolink accidents in the Burbank area. For details, see the Times' complete interactive map. Credit: Doug Smith and Thomas Suh Lauder/ Los Angeles Times. Bottom photo: An installed automatic train stop inductor. Credit: Metrolink.
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I disagree with the title of this item.
This was not a "pedestrian" just walking along a sidewalk when a rogue train veered of track and struck the pedestrian.
According to the article the "pedestrian" was walking on the tracks.
I used to take Metrolink from this station daily. The views are un obstructed and it is very clear when trains are coming. Either the person was a total idiot or wanted to get hit by the train.
I'm sorry someone got hurt, but shouldn't the real title be "Idiot walks on the tracks in front of a moving train" instead of making the train the culprit?
Posted by: Dan W. | October 29, 2009 at 11:10 AM