Child killed after train strikes family vehicle waiting to see Christmas lights display in California
FRESNO, Calif. — A child was killed on Tuesday night after a train struck a vehicle the family was in while waiting to drive through a popular local Christmas lights display, according to multiple Californiamedia outlets.
The incident happened around 5:40 p.m. while the family was waiting to drive through Christmas Tree Lane in Fresno, ABC30 reported.
Police said four people were in the car, which was stopped on the train tracks while waiting to turn, according to ABC30.
“Unfortunately, as a result of the impact of the train colliding with the vehicle, a small child was ultimately killed,” Lt. Andre Benson told KSEE-TV. “We have investigators from the traffic unit on the scene right now trying to determine exactly how the vehicle became stuck on the tracks.”
The three other occupants of the vehicle suffered minor injuries, police said.
Trains in the heavily populated residential area typically move at a slow rate of speed, but traffic is frequently bumper-to-bumper around Christmas Tree Lane.
Tuesday was opening night of the 98-year-old Christmas Tree Lane, which attracts thousands of families to see the more than 100 decorated homes and 300 Christmas trees along the stretch of Van Ness Boulevard between Shields and Shaw avenues.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, people could only see the displays while in a car this year.
Follow James Ward on Twitter: @VTDChoices.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Christmas Tree Lane: Child killed when train hits car in California
