Two Killed After Surfliner Train Strikes Them Near Faria Beach

The northbound train, Amtrak Train 785, was traveling from San Diego to Goleta when it struck the two people near Pacific Coast Highway at about 9:45 p.m. on November 13. Firefighters pronounced both dead at the scene. Their identities had not been made public, and officials had not determined why they were on the tracks.

The investigation was assumed by Amtrak police and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is investigating, and the California Highway Patrol also responded. The train stopped at the scene; none of its 119 passengers or crew members was hurt. It later arrived at its next stop in Carpinteria several hours behind schedule.

Ventura County Fire Department Capt. Tony McHale said incidents of this kind happen more often than many people think. He noted that circumstances can vary, but said investigators did not know what had happened in this case. Amtrak said it was working with local law enforcement and called trespassing the most common reason for rail-related deaths in the United States.

California has the country’s highest number of deaths from railroad trespassing and grade-crossing incidents, according to California Operation Lifesaver. The nonprofit’s executive director said 20 people died along the Pacific Surfliner route from 2021 through 2025: 19 in trespassing incidents and one at a grade crossing.