Train kills man kneeling on tracks
SAN MARTIN
– An unidentified man was killed Wednesday evening by an Amtrak
train near Ability Auto Wrecking, south of Middle Avenue and east
of Monterey Road.
Train kills man kneeling on tracks
SAN MARTIN – An unidentified man was killed Wednesday evening by an Amtrak train near Ability Auto Wrecking, south of Middle Avenue and east of Monterey Road.
According to Amtrak spokesman Dan Stessel, the accident occurred at approximately 9:25 p.m. The engineer of Train 14 was approaching the intersection and saw a man kneeling on the track, apparently praying.
“The engineer immediately initiated emergency braking procedures, but it can take a mile or so to bring the train to a stop,” said Stessel.
The maximum track speed for that area is 79 mph, he said.
There were no injuries aboard the train. The engineer called 911, and a local California Department of Forestry (CDF) crew responded, along with California Highway Patrol, Morgan Hill Police and Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department deputies.
“The train was held for the arrival of the coroner,” Stessel said. “It was released at 12:50 a.m. The crew did not request to be released from duty and continued on with the train at 12:55 a.m.”
CDF Fire Captain Tim Main said CDF Station One received the call at 9:36 p.m.
Stessel said the accident was being characterized as a suicide due to the position of the victim prior to the accident. The accident scene covered a quarter-mile area of track.
The Sheriff’s department and the Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office are conducting investigations. The coroner had not identified the man as of press time.
Artists who teach on exhibit
GILROY – Creative Catalyst is an exhibition currently on display at the Gavilan College Gallery, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., featuring artwork by art educators from Gavilan College and local high schools. Artists exhibiting artwork are Dan Dwyer, Jane Edberg, KC Gonzalez, Jack Johnson, Arthur Juncker, Tim Kelly, Jacqueline Kurtt, Jane Rekedal, Sylvia Rios, Moisés Roizen, Louise Roy and Arturo “r2row” Rosette. Artworks include ceramics, photography, drawings, paintings, fabric, murals, wood and mixed media. The exhibition is on display now through Jan. 25. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free and open to the public. On-campus parking is 75 cents. For more information, contact r2row at 846-4974 or r2***@*****il.com.
No butts
GILROY – MACSA, a Gilroy youth service organization, and Victory Outreach, a Gilroy youth faith-based organization, will host a youth anti-smoking festival on Friday, Jan. 24 at San Ysidro Park in Gilroy from 3 to 7 p.m. \The afternoon events will include music, refreshments, games and prizes.
Anti-smoking information in Spanish and English will be available for youth and their parents. All are invited to attend.
Details: (831) 763-3409.
SHARE food cooperative
GILROY – SHARE is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable food and opportunities to improve the community. Participants in SHARE receive approximately $30 per month of meat, fresh fruits and vegetables and other grocery items for $15 plus two hours of volunteer time. The host for SHARE in South County is the United Methodist Church. SHARE is non-sectarian. Details: Madri, 848-4090 or Lily (por Espanol), 842-7050.
NEWS ITEMS: Please fax local news items to City Editor Jodi Engle at 842-2206, e-mail to ed****@****ic.com or mail to 6400 Monterey St., Gilroy.
