Woman Fatally Hit by Amtrak Train
There's no news on SFGate or the Oakland Tribune sites (see update below), but KCBS has a story about the woman killed yesterday around 4pm at Broadway & Embarcadero while crossing the tracks. KTVU actually has a better story since one of their own reporters was a witness.

A freight train going north that lasted about 15 minutes had people getting impatient to cross. It stopped and started several times and several people even managed to hop over without incident. (Not a smart thing to do.) Unfortunately for 83-year old Lucie Buchbinder, she rushed to cross the tracks just as the freight train finished, but was hit by an Amtrak commuter train coming from the opposite direction. People yelled for her to stop, but she apparently did not hear nor did she look to her left. She was on the other side of the safety arms and like many, didn't wait for them to go up. There were a few reports that the arms went up after the freight train, but other witnesses disputed this.

I suppose the Port could use a bit better signage letting people know of the overhead crossing elevator in between Subway & BevMo, but always look both ways when crossing and if one train finishes, wait to make sure there's not another waiting. Seems obvious, but sometimes impatience can overule doing the smart thing.

Our condolences go out to Ms. Buchbinder's family and friends.

UPDATE: The Tribune finally posted this article. It begs to question Amtrak - why were only four people riding the train?!
Posted 6/20/2007