Elderly Woman Struck and Killed By Freight Train

An elderly woman was struck and killed late this morning by a freight train rumbling through the San Fernando Valley.

The victim, whose identity has not been released, was pronounced dead at the scene on the 13200 block of Van Nuys Boulevard in Van Nuys at 11:30 a.m., reports CBS2.

A witness says the victim was walking on the tracks, and seemed to ignore the "blaring sound of the train's horn," reports the Daily News. "Seconds before she was hit, she turned and tried to get out of the way, but the train still clipped her and tossed her about 10 feet to the side."

Though initial reports from the responding authorities indicated the woman was in her 40s, her age has been determined as 72.

The incident is under investigation.