Metrolink tracks reopened after fatal accident in San Fernando Valley

Train tracks reopened late this morning at the site where a Metrolink train struck and killed a man this morning in the Van Nuys area.

The man, whom investigators had not identified this morning, was walking on the tracks about 8 a.m. near Raymer Street and Bellaire Avenue when a Metrolink engineer spotted him. The engineer unable to stop the train in time, authorities said.

"Unfortunately, it takes a third of a mile for a train to stop," said Metrolink spokeswoman Denise Tyrell.

Officials closed the tracks for a little more than two hours this morning, then reopened the northbound tracks at 10:10 a.m. and southbound tracks about 20 minutes later, Tyrell said. Several other trains were delayed by the closure.

Los Angeles police are investigating the case as a possible suicide, said Officer Marjan Mobasser.

Train No. 106 left Ventura County's Montalvo station bound for Union Station at 6:44 a.m. and was carrying 436 passengers when it struck the man, Tyrell said.

The passengers were walked by Metrolink staff to another waiting train at 9:45 a.m., she said.

The closed track stopped two other Metrolink trains in Burbank and Chatsworth, which were carrying about 100 passengers each, Tyrell said.

Buses were dispatched to the trains to take passengers to their destinations, Tyrell said.

Metrolink trains were slightly delayed at of 11:30 a.m., but were expected to be back on schedule by noon, Tyrell said.

molly.hennessy-fiske@latimes.com