Woman Hit by Train Survived

A Pismo Beach woman was struck by a train while walking on the tracks and survived.
Alena Gribanova, 22, was pushing her bicycle while walking on the tracks near the 300 block of Bello St shortly after 8 p.m. on Feb. 3.
Officers responded to the area and located Gribanova lying approximately 25-feet east of the tracks trestle bridge alert and conscious.
“We expect a full recovery without a problem,” said Pismo Beach Commander Shawn Singleton.
According to reports, Gribanova said that she had heard the train sound the horn and started running in an attempt to get off the tracks. The train was unable to completely stop before striking Gribanova and her bicycle.
She was transported to a local hospital to be treated for her injuries.
“It is a crime to trespass on railroad property, so we shouldn’t be walking along the train trestle at any given point,” Singleton said. “Safety is the point, looking both ways. In this particular area there, a straightaway on either side of it for probably a mile, she probably should have seen the train coming. I also understand that by being close, you can’t necessarily hear a train when they come up on you. At a wide angle, you can hear very loud and clear. I’ve spent enough time on the train tracks to know that you don’t necessarily hear them coming.”
Officials said alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this case.
Singleton cautions that people should avoid walking on train tracks and that it is never safe to cross trestles.
“Speaking generally (train versus pedestrian accidents) are typically fatal,” Singleton said. “We have had survivors of these incidents in the past, but it is usually major injuries or death when you get hit by a train.”