Blue Line train hits and kills a pedestrian in South Los Angeles

Flickr via fredcamino

The Blue Line saw an "uptick" in fatalities in 2012, officials say.

A Blue Line train hit and killed a pedestrian, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The LAFD tweeted at 5:15 p.m. that there were reports of a Blue Line train hitting a pedestrian

*Blueline* 4421 S LONG BEACH AV; MAP goo.gl/maps/7gAvs; FS 21; Possible Blue Line train vs pedestrian near… goo.gl/fb/QCRd4

— LAFD (@LAFD) January 12, 2013

At 5:37 they tweeted confirmation that the victim of the collision had died. The gender and age of the victim were unknown at press time.

*UPDATE: 4421 S LONG BEACH AV* Person determined dead on scene, unk age/gender, NFD. - Erik Scott### goo.gl/fb/2mh3m

— LAFD (@LAFD) January 12, 2013

Metro has tweeted that the Blue Line's Vernon station has been closed, and that buses have been sent to shuttle passengers.

Vernon Station closed due to trespasser strike. Blue Line bypassing w/ single tracking delays. Buses requested. Expect delays tonight. ^ST

— metrolosangeles (@metrolosangeles) January 12, 2013

Blue Line Update: Due to Vernon disruption, short line trips to Willow are cancelled. All southbound trips end at LB Transit Mall. ^ST

— metrolosangeles (@metrolosangeles) January 12, 2013

Blue Line: Ten buses en route to shuttle Vernon passengers btwn Slauson + Washington due to Vernon Station closure. Allow extra time. ^ST

— metrolosangeles (@metrolosangeles) January 12, 2013

Vernon passengers: Due to station closure, bus shuttles are available from Washington only. Follow announcements and expect delays. ^ST

— metrolosangeles (@metrolosangeles) January 12, 2013