A Santa Barbara police officer, an Amtrak employee, and the Santa Barbara Police Department’s Co-Response Team helped prevent a woman from being hit by an approaching train on the tracks at the Amtrak Station the afternoon of Jan. 2.

At around 4:30 p.m. that day, a Santa Barbara police officer was conducting an area check at the Amtrak Train Station when the officer noticed an adult female acting erratically, jumping on and off the train tracks.

The officer tried talking with the woman to get her off the tracks because a train was approaching, but the woman lay down on the tracks and refused to move.

The officer jumped onto the platform near the tracks, grabbed the woman with the assistance of an Amtrak employee, and pulled her to safety just before the train approached.

Concerned for the mental well-being of the woman, the officer contacted the Santa Barbara Police Department’s Co-Response Team. The Co-Response Team is made up of an officer, and a licensed clinician who specializes in responding to individuals needing immediate mental health resources and evaluations.

The Co-Response Team determined the woman needed immediate mental health treatment, and a mental health hold (5150 Welfare & Institutions Hold) was authorized.

The woman was transported to Cottage Hospital for further treatment and evaluation.