Condolences to the family of this individual.

Do news reports like this encourage copycats? I know the Golden Gate Bridge no longer releases any information about suicides, even yearly counts.

I wish the newspaper would at least include suicide prevention tips with these articles. Depressed people may not read it, but it may help friends and family identify problems before they become tragedies.

@resident I agree with you. El Camino Hospital in Mountain View has a great behavioral health department and offers free assessments. Here’s the info of their website: “If you’re interested in our services or scheduling a free assessment for yourself or someone you know, call our Mental Health department at 866-789-6089.“
Sending love to all touched by this loss.

@resident:

Unlike Golden Gate jumping, the newspaper is obligated to report Caltrain fatalities because it affects a public transportation agency. Trains are often delayed for hours after such an incident and thus impact hundreds even thousands of commuters who are inconvenienced by delays.

Being a longtime Peninsula resident, I do not see any pattern of copycat behavior. The annual Caltrain fatality rate ranges from about 8-16 incidents per year and there is no trend. Last year, there were nine fatalities.

There are suicide prevention signs with phone numbers to crisis hotlines at Caltrain grade crossings.

Indeed such information could be posted in a news item. If it helps one person, it's worth it.

"Being a longtime Peninsula resident, I do not see any pattern of copycat behavior."

OMG, the PA kids didn't suggest a pattern? The pattern has since been broken, but man, that was scary for a while. Maybe ther is no continuous pattern, but when they come in clusters like they have in the past, I think it at LEAST suggests that it's copy cat behavior, providing someone with a "I'm going to do that too" moment.

As a 57 year resident I've seen the numbers explode over the past 2 decades. It's tragic.

I was on that train in the first car. The real trauma that happened to me was being kept on that car AFTER the incident, hearing what happened, seeing the eyes of the crew who went out to investigate when they returned. Because the actual impact sounded like a branch of a tree with offshoot twigs breaking. So, now I know what that sound is -- the sound of a human body being crushed. And the great thing is after all this, Caltrain too me to my destination, and has left me to figure out how I resume a happy life. And compulsively check news media like this site to try and make sense of what happened, why and who this person was.

[Post removed due to disrespectful comment or offensive language]

Hey AK,

This is the firefighter who was on board and wanted to help out. I wholeheartedly agree with your feelings. I'll be calling you. I never felt left so empty by Caltrain not addressing the passengers at all. We are wanting to connect with you and others to get us some help. It was not just a disrespect to us, but to the young lady and her family. We expect more, we deserve more, and we are asking more. Anyone on the train who is seeking assistance--especially those in the first car, please email me at 4heroes4lifehq@gmail.org. We all know it was wrong and I will take the lead. Being a firefighter and a veteran, I know how this can impact the human spirit. Peace