UPDATED: Pedestrian Killed by Amtrak Train Identified as Former Del Mar Mayor

Updated at 1:10 P.M. Saturday by City News Service

The man who was struck and killed by a train while chasing his dog across a coastal bluff near Powerhouse Park was identified today as former Del Mar Mayor Lou Terrell, a county supervisor said.

The northbound Amtrak locomotive hit Terrell off the 100 block of 11th Street in Del Mar shortly before 3:30 p.m. Friday, according to sheriff's officials.

Sheriff's Sgt. Anthony O'Boyle said that based on witness statements and the preliminary investigation, the 75-year-old had apparently been walking his dog off-leash on the bluff on the west side of the tracks. The train's engineer blasted his horn as he spotted then, which startled the animal, the sergeant said.

The dog then headed toward the tracks, and Terrell attempted to prevent his pet from being struck, and in turn was struck himself, according to O'Boyle. He died at the scene.

The dog was unhurt, according to broadcast reports.

The North County Transit District provided bus service between Solana Beach and Sorrento Valley for rail commuters facing delays due to the fatality. Coaster train service was expected to be running behind schedule into the evening hours, the agency advised.

A celebration of life for Terrell is planned for 10 a.m. Sunday at the Powerhouse Community Center, at 1658 Coast Blvd. in Del Mar, according to county Supervisor Dave Roberts.

UPDATED  AT 8:50 P.M.

Sheriff's officials have identified the man killed by an Amtrak train today as a 75 year-old. Paramedics worked on the male but ultimately pronounced him deceased at the scene. 

"Based on our preliminary investigation and witness statements it appears the male was walking his dog off-leash on the bluff on the west side of the tracks," officials wrote in a news release issued late Friday night. "The Amtrak train engineer of the northbound train saw the male and dog and sounded his horn. It appears the dog was startled and moved towards the track. The dog owner tried to prevent his dog from being struck by the train and in his attempt to protect his dog, was struck by the train himself."

UPDATED AT 7:45 P.M. BY CITY NEWS:

A man chasing his dog across a coastal bluff near Powerhouse Park was fatally struck by a passenger train this afternoon, Jan. 3.

The northbound Amtrak locomotive hit the pedestrian off the 100 block of 11th Street in Del Mar shortly shortly 3:30 p.m., according to San Diego County Sheriff's officials.

The victim, whose name was not immediately available, died at the scene, sheriff's Lt. Clayton Lisk said. The dog was unhurt, according to broadcast reports.

Witnesses told reporters the victim ran onto the tracks while apparently trying to catch the unleashed canine.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

A pedestrian was killed today after being struck by an Amtrak Train, San Diego County Sheriff’s officials said.

There were few details immediately available as the investigation only recently started, officials said.

Sheriff’s Dispatch started receiving calls of the collision at 3:20 p.m. according to a sheriff’s spokesman. Deputies responded to the 100 block of 11th Street in Del Mar.

Officials did find one person had been struck. The victim died at the scene, the spokesman said.

North County Transit District provided bus service between Solana Beach
and Sorrento Valley for rail commuters facing delays due to the fatality.

Coaster train service was expected to be running behind schedule into the evening, the agency advised.

-- City News Service contributed to this report