As Metrolink train 857 made its way south on the carrier’s Olive Sub, offering weekend service between inland San Bernardino and the aptly-named Oceanside, stuck a trespasser in a "non-pedestrian area" near the Collins Avenue grade crossing, just one mile north of the Orange station, at 8:16 am, resulting in a fatality. The train came to a stop in an area in which its eight passengers (remember, there are light loads due to the COVID-19 pandemic) could not be unloaded until the train arrived in Orange, probably about two hours later (two hours seems to be the norm for delays after a fatal accident.) Once in Orange, the passengers were detrained and they boarded a later southbound train – possibly 660 from LA or 859 from San Bernardino. (Train 859 detoured through Fullerton as a result of 857’s unfortunate delay.) The train is seen here at Noon, most likely with a replacement engineer and a crew (note the one in a hazmat-type suit on the right) checking lead engine F125 939 for any damage or, shall we say, debris. (Orange, California – January 2, 2021)
