Man killed, struck by train waiting for another to pass in Placentia

PLACENTIA, Calif. (KABC) -- A man was struck and killed by a train while he was waiting for another one to pass at a Placentia intersection Monday night.

BNSF Railway Company train personnel flagged down a Placentia police officer on patrol to inform him of the incident around 8:15 p.m. It happened in the area of Orangethorpe Avenue and Richfield Road.

Witnesses at the scene said the man was walking a bicycle northbound in the southbound lane of Richfield Road when he walked under the train crossing arms and onto the tracks.

He appeared to be waiting for an eastbound train to pass when he was struck by a westbound train traveling 48 mph. The man, said to be in his 30s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have yet to identify him.

The incident is under investigation, but authorities believe it was an accident. Anyone with information is asked to call the Placentia Police Department at (714) 993-8164.