Caltrain Fatally Strikes Man in Wheelchair in San Mateo

A Caltrain fatally struck a man in a wheelchair on the train tracks in San Mateo Thursday, altering north and southbound train service. 

Southbound Train 264, a limited-stop train, collided with the man on the tracks at Fifth Avenue in San Mateo at about 4:50 p.m. Emergency officials remained at the scene of the incident for at least an hour following the incident.

Train 264 left San Francisco at 4:19 p.m. and had stopped at the San Mateo station at 4:42 p.m. The next scheduled stop was Hillsdale at 4:47 p.m.

A preliminary investigation indicates the man, who was riding in an electric wheelchair, went around the lowered gates onto the train tracks.

At about 6 p.m. the train involved in the incident was moved north to the San Mateo station, where the passengers were able to get off the train. Delays lingered for hours after the incident.

This is the 10th fatality on the Caltrain of way this year. Last year there were 16. 

The cause of the fatality is under investigation.  The San Mateo County coroner will determine the cause of death.

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