Oakland: Lake Merritt BART station reopens after person hit
OAKLAND — BART’s Lake Merritt station has reopened after a train struck a person, authorities said.
Shortly before 5:30 p.m., BART said an unspecified medical emergency was delaying trains in the Dublin/Pleasanton and Warm Springs directions.
Moments later, officials closed the station and announced that a train had struck a person, according to BART spokesman Chris Filippi.
Filippli said a person appeared to enter one of the station’s trackways at 5:28 p.m. “for an unknown reason” before they were hit. No word was available on the person’s condition, but first responders arrived at the scene shortly after 5:50 p.m. and the person was rescued just after 6:25 p.m. The station reopened moments later.
Officials were turning back trains from the station on either direction, but also working to determine a way to run trains through on an opposite platform.
With no direct service between the system’s Richmond and Fremont-Warm Springs stations, would-be riders left at least one downtown Oakland station to seek other options, including walking or hailing ride-share services.
Officials had worked to set up a bus bridge with AC Transit, and said service was available via the No. 1, 14 and 62 lines.
@sfbarr we are stuck in LakeMerritt on the Dublin train tunnel can we get some air please Car # 4023x my friend is claustrophobic
— vandy meares (@vandys) July 25, 2019
Oh shit. My BART train just ran over someone at Lake Merritt station! pic.twitter.com/Hfm8dxtgXe
— NeonBunny (@DJNeonBunny) July 25, 2019
There is a station closure at Lake Merritt due to a major medical emergency.
— SFBARTalert (@SFBARTalert) July 25, 2019
Someone was struck by a train.
— SFBART (@SFBART) July 25, 2019
Someone was struck by a train at Lake Merritt and we figuring out if we can run trains on the opposite platform or if we have to turn train backs. We are very sorry.
— SFBART (@SFBART) July 25, 2019
First responders are now on scene at Lake Merritt station. Someone was hit by a train. We are awaiting word if we can run trains through the station on the opposite platform. Until then we have to turn trains back.
— SFBART (@SFBART) July 25, 2019
AC Transit will accept BART tickets as fare.
— SFBART (@SFBART) July 25, 2019
We currently can’t run trains through Lake Merritt but first responders have rescued the individual and we hope to have trains moving through.
— SFBART (@SFBART) July 25, 2019
Lake Merritt station is now open.
— SFBARTalert (@SFBARTalert) July 25, 2019
Um Lake Merritt station is shut down and @SFBART just dumped everyone headed to Fremont/Pleasanton across various stations in Oakland/West Oakland. No information about buses, alternate routes, nada. Mass confusion. This is great.
— Sona (@LifePerSona) July 25, 2019
They sent us one bus for 200 people. #BART pic.twitter.com/2phzD2LVME
— Desiré Whitmore (@DarthScience) July 25, 2019
There’s a major Bart delay and I’m too impatient to wait so my mom paid for my $113 uber ride from Oakland lmaooooooooooo I love her
— Sondizzle (@solorzano_sonia) July 25, 2019
Current situation at 12th street Oakland pic.twitter.com/pcsv9NCMRG
— wesley anna (@anna_tiner) July 25, 2019
The medical emergency at @SFBART Lake Merrit station is making for some out of control surge pricing on @Uber WTF! $132. to go from Oakland to Dublin. pic.twitter.com/Na43csFXiI
— Skin Philosophy (@SkinbyKelly) July 25, 2019
@SFBARTalert @SFBART I’m sympathetic but you need to tell riders on the Dublin/Pleasanton line to find another way home. Not stopping is not the same as a cutting off the line. I hopped on a Pleasant Hill train and got a ride but that’s because I follow you on Twitter. #sfbart
— Colleen (@ColleenSmile12) July 25, 2019
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.