Father, son killed by freight train identified

Nov. 5, 2009 | KPCC Wire Services

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.

CA/Local News

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."

Rick
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Why would a conductor be blowing the horn? And what does the conductor have to do with braking?

Billy Floyd
2 weeks ago

Sad, isn't it, Rick? Railroads, which were once a vital part of American culture, have fallen so far from mainstream consciousness that modern reporters don't even know the term, "engineer."

Nathan Johnson
1 week, 4 days ago

The 'Conductor' was running the engine as the engineer was texting.

Conductor on a frieght train?? OK sure...

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