A woman died Thursday after she was struck by an Amtrak train in Little Italy, San Diego Fire-Rescue officials said.
Witnesses said the woman was pinned under the southbound train near Pacific Coast Highway and W. Hawthorn Street at about 11:50 a.m.
“We just heard a screeching noise,” said construction worker Hector Sefo. “We saw the shopping cart underneath the train.”
Firefighters and emergency personnel responded and pulled the woman out from underneath the train, SDFD spokesperson Alec Phillipp said.
She was transported to UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) confirmed hours later that the woman died on the way to the hospital.
The train was traveling at about 40 mph when its operator saw the woman walking near the tracks, deputies said.
The operator activated emergency brakes but was unable to stop before hitting the woman who came into the train's path.
Local
The woman was described by deputies as in her 30's or 40's.
North County Transit District said a "trespasser incident" involving Amtrak Pacific Surfliner 566 had prompted delays to Coaster and Amtrak service between the Old Town and Santa Fe Depot train stations.
