A pedestrian was in critical condition Wednesday after a grim search underneath a stopped freight train located the bloody victim that had been apparently struck by the locomotive.
It wasn’t clear if the train had stopped for a routine reason or if the train crew thought the train had struck someone or something.
Authorities did not speculate about the cause of the incident, and whether the victim had tried to commit suicide or was just struck accidentally. Few details were yet available.
The mysterious incident was reported about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday near the Riverside intersection of Spruce Street and East La Cadena Drive, said Battalion Chief Thomas Jay of the City of Riverside Fire Department.
Arriving crews noted a freight train stopped at the tracks near Third and Commerce streets, according to Jay.
The train conductor was located and the railroad tracks were shut down as a precaution. After a thorough search, the victim was found underneath the train closer to the intersection of Spruce Street and East La Cadena Drive, Jay said.
The victim was transported to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment. The cause of the accident was under investigation by railroad personnel, Jay said.
— Staff and wire reports