Encinitas man hit and killed by freight train

ENCINITAS (CNS) – A man who witnesses said was sitting on the train tracks in Encinitas was killed early Saturday when he was hit by a freight train.

The apparent suicide occurred about 1:48 a.m. Saturday on the combined passenger-freight tracks at the 900 block of South Coast Highway, Deputy Anthony Radicia said.

Witnesses said they saw a man sitting on the west rail of track number two holding his head in his hands and looking downward, Radicia said.

The northbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train activated its horn and emergency brakes but was unable to stop before hitting and killing the man, Radicia said.

The 40-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was not immediately released.

On Thursday, a 22-year-old man was killed in Carlsbad by a freight train while trying to cross the tracks. His death was believed to be an accident.