Freight Train Kills Father and Son in Fullerton
November 5, 2009
Fullerton – A train accident claimed the lives of a father and his son after they were struck by a freight train in Fullerton yesterday, authorities said.
A Burlington Santa Fe train engineer reported the incident at about 11:18 p.m. and told authorities about a possible accident that involved two pedestrians.
The freight train was running at about 50 mph and was travelling eastbound. It came to a stop at Raymond Avenue and Valencia Drive.
According to Fullerton police officer, the conductor saw the two men and tried to warn them by sounding the horn but it was too late.
It took about 30 minutes for police officers to find the bodies of the two victims.
They found the bodies east of the train station near Balcom Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue after starting their search at the 100 W. Santa Fe station.
The victims were identified as Virgil Lamphier, 56, and David Lamphier, 23, both from Fullerton.
Police officers said that the father and son were train enthusiasts and were frequent visitors to the train tracks.
Police believe the two men were in the area as train spotters and were on their way home when the collision happened.
Fullerton police is investigating the incident as an accident.
