Father, son killed by freight train identified

A father and son struck and killed by a freight train in Fullerton were identified today.

Virgil Lamphier, 56, and his son David, 23, were walking home when a Burlington Northern Santa Fe train going about 50 mph struck them about 11:15 p.m. Wednesday.

The two were train enthusiasts who "liked to go to the tracks at least once a week," said Sgt. Mike MacDonald of the Fullerton Police Department.

The train conductor blew the horn, but was unable to stop the 5,900-ton freight train, which was more than a mile long. It's unclear if they were walking on the tracks or alongside them when the accident happened.

The father had sent his wife a text message about 11 p.m. saying they would be home soon.

Sgt. MacDonald warned that the accident shows the importance of being careful around train tracks. "You may feel them coming, but you don't hear them sometimes because they're very quiet," he said. "Be very, very careful around the tracks because even if you don't see them at the time they can get up on you quickly."