Woman killed in fatal Amtrak train strike in Berkeley

A woman was killed Friday morning in northwest Berkeley when an Amtrak train hit her on the railroad tracks, authorities report.

Amtrak said the person was trespassing on the tracks when the collision happened at about 10 a.m.

Amtrak said the train was heading from Oakland to Bakersfield when the collision happened. Local authorities said the train was heading north from Berkeley.

"There were no reported injuries to the 34 passengers onboard," Amtrak said. "Amtrak worked with local authorities to investigate the incident. Service resumed almost an hour later."

The Scanner asked the coroner's office for additional details but none were available as of publication time.

Authorities shut down Fourth Street, at Gilman Street, as well as the Gilman offramp from westbound I-80 for 30-40 minutes due to the emergency response.

The Federal Railroad Administration has identified trespassing along railroad rights-of-way as the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America.

"These incidents can affect everyone involved," said Amtrak, "those who are injured or die and their families, our train crews, and our passengers. They also serve as critical reminders about the importance of obeying the law and of exercising extreme caution around railroad tracks and crossings."

For more railroad safety information, visit StayOffTheTracks.org. Learn more at Operation Lifesaver.

Note: This story was updated slightly after publication to correct the location of the road closure on Fourth Street.

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