I was studying Goleta on the map and not seeing any grade crossings where a ped might be struck. So it made me suspect that the victim must have been walking along the tracks.

Turns out he was actually riding his bike on the tracks. Why do so many people play roulette with trains?

[www.keyt.com]

Bicyclist killed by train as he rode along train tracks in Goleta

Officials say engineer sounded horn repeatedly

Posted: Jul 20, 2017 02:21 PM PDT
Updated: Jul 20, 2017 02:21 PM PDT

GOLETA, Calif. - The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department is investigating a deadly train accident that occurred near the Goleta train station early Thursday afternoon.

At about 12:06 p.m., emergency responders received calls reporting a Pacific Surfliner Amtrak train had just struck a person on the railroad tracks between La Patera Lane and Fairview Avenue.

The train was traveling northbound and was in the process of slowing down as it arrived at the Goleta train station when engineers noticed a man riding his bicycle along the railroad tracks, according to Santa Barbara County Public Information Office Mike Eliason.

The engineer reportedly sounded the horn multiple times but the man, described to be in his 50's, did not get out of the way and was subsequently hit by the train. The force of the impact killed the man instantly, Eliason said.

The victim's body was thrown and came to rest near the bridge that crosses along San Pedro Creek near the Twin Lakes Golf Course.

Ten people were on board the train at the time of the crash, Eliason said. Soon after the incident, the train was moved north on the tracks to the area near La Patera Lane.

A new train crew is coming up from the Los Angeles area to take over the crew who witnessed the incident, according to Eliason. This is a procedure done particularly during traumatic incidents.

No further details were immediately known. The Sheriff's Office is working on identifying the man but his name will not be released until the next-of-kin is notified. We will update this story as soon as new information becomes available.