A woman is in critical condition after trespassing onto rail tracks and being struck by a train in Vancouver.
BC Emergency Health Services and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services both responded to the rail tracks near Heatley Avenue and Alexander Street on April 1 around 4 p.m.
"Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to one patient who was transported to hospital in critical condition,” said BCEHS spokesperson Bowen Osoko.
A total of three ambulances with primary care paramedics and two ambulances with advanced care paramedics responded to the scene.
In Canada and the U.S., railways are private property. Federal statutes prohibit trespassing on the rail lines and people caught can face arrest or be fined.
Firefighters have responded to a medical emergency involving a train and successfully extricated 1 person, transferring them to @BC_EHS and off to hospital. Crews starting to leave the scene.
— Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (@VanFireRescue) April 1, 2025
Vancouver Police Department was also called to the scene. When they arrived a 36-year-old woman was receiving medical treatment.
"She was taken to hospital, and our understanding is that she has a broken pelvis,” said Sgt. Steve Addison.
It’s not clear why the woman was on the tracks.
CN Police said the incident occurred on CPKC tracks.
“We were made aware of the April 1 incident in which a West Coast Express train made contact with a person on the tracks,” said Terry Cunha, a spokesperson with CPKC.
The West Coast Express operates out of the rail tracks but does not own or run the area.
A TransLink spokesperson said there was a police incident involving the West Coast Express and "this was a police matter involving a trespasser in CPKC jurisdiction."
A criminal investigation by VPD is not taking place.
