Train service was delayed early Saturday evening due to a collision on the tracks near Refugio State Beach.
Shortly before 7:00 p.m., the driver of an SUV attempted to exit the freeway to “take in the ocean view” but was going too fast and ended up on the tracks, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner then collided with the vehicle. There were no reported injuries.
Train service was halted for about an hour before resuming around 7:45 p.m.
The incident is under investigation.
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The photo shows a southbound Surfliner (which I was on). I am pretty sure it was a northbound Surfliner that struck the vehicle. But the damage shows up on the the non-driver’s side of the vehicle. So some part of the story needs clarification.
Actually, the Surfliner shown in the photo could have been northbound. The locomotive is not always located in the front (relative to the direction of travel). But for hundreds of Surfliners (Santa Barbara to/from San Luis Obispo) I have been on, the locomotive is always in front going towards SLO, and always in the rear going towards Santa Barbara from SLO.
My guess is that the photo of the train actually showed the southbound Coast Starlight, not the Surfliner. Still not clear how the car exited the freeway, but got hit on the front passenger side of the vehicle.
Wow, that’s a big flail from that driver. Retake the test, go back to 16 years old dude. Focus?