Man lying on tracks rescued from beneath light rail in Sacramento’s River District

A man lying on the ground was struck Friday night by an oncoming Sacramento Regional Transit light-rail train in the River District Friday night.

Initial reports said the man was lying either partially or completely on the tracks as the Blue Line train approached at about 20 mph, said Devra Selenis, a spokeswoman for RT.

The operator driving at the time believes the man appeared to be intentionally trying to harm himself, according to Sacramento Fire Department Capt. Keith Wade. The Sacramento Police Department were dispatched to 12th and Ahern streets after a 9:47 p.m call, Wade said.

Sacramento firefighters used an airbag system to lift the train car off of the struck pedestrian, who was lying trapped beneath the vehicle. The pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries and was hospitalized, Wade said.

The incident marks the second time a Blue Line light rail train has struck a pedestrian on 12th Street in the past month.

Selenis said the incident is under investigation.