Man, 26, Loses Arm When Struck by Amtrak Train

A 26-year-old Simi Valley man lost his arm and suffered other major injuries after he was struck by an Amtrak train Friday night, authorities said.

James Strout and a friend were walking near the railroad tracks along Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley around 8 p.m., when Strout crouched down near the path of an approaching train about 100 feet east of Sequoia Avenue, Ventura County Fire Department officials said.

“Apparently he was with a friend walking down the track and made the statement, ‘Watch this,’ and sat next to rails,” said Capt. Jim Arledge, whose station answered the call. “The train struck him.”

Strout’s friend tried to get him to move away from the tracks when he saw the approaching train, but Strout refused, Police Lt. Ken Tacke said. Both men had been drinking, Tacke said.

The eastbound Amtrak passenger train was traveling about 50 to 60 m.p.h. when it sideswiped Strout, amputating his arm, Tacke said. Strout, who also suffered major head injuries, was taken to Simi Valley Hospital, where he was in critical condition late Friday.

Police were investigating whether the accident was a suicide attempt. “I think it is supposition at this point, but you’d think he would have moved,” Tacke said. Amtrak officials will also investigate, authorities said.

Engineers brought the eastbound train to a halt shortly after Strout was struck, authorities said.