Surfliner Train Strikes Forklift In San Juan Capistrano

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA —A collision between a Pacific Surfliner Amtrak train and a forklift near San Juan Capistrano sent one to the hospital, Thursday.

The northbound Amtrak train struck the forklift at approximately 50 miles per hour, being driven by a construction worker in the area of the tracks, at approximately 1 p.m., OCFA Capt. Jon Muir told Patch.

The driver was taken to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo as a trauma patient but was "alert, oriented and talking to us," Muir said.

According to a spokesperson for Pacific Surfliner, trains 583 and 590 were cancelled due to the collision. Passengers scheduled for those trains were to be "re-accommodated on Trains 785 and 792.

"Delays continue for all trains traveling through the area," they said. "If you have a coach ticket, you can take a different train or ride on a different day without making any changes to that ticket."

Roughly 200 people aboard the commuter train were unharmed, and the worker "was treated for minor injuries," he said.

How long the tracks would be closed in that area was not disclosed as of this report.