The person was hit at about 5:30 p.m. by a northbound train at the Santa Clara station, Caltrain spokeswoman Jayme Ackemann said.
Police and firefighters arrived there at 5:39 p.m., Ackemann said. The person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Trains holding in the area caused major delays for riders.
Confirmed fatality at Santa Clara. All trains are holding in area. #Caltrain
— Caltrain (@Caltrain_News) November 17, 2015
2 incidents, 1st was minor at San Antonio. 2nd major incident at Santa Clara now causing delays. #Caltrain
— Caltrain (@Caltrain_News) November 17, 2015
An earlier report of a train hitting a person proved to be unfounded. About 30 minutes earlier, a person walking on the tracks dropped a bag, which was struck by the train.
The person was uninjured, but trains stopped briefly to assess the situation and police took the trespasser into custody, Ackemann said.