Skip to main content
News

Man dies of apparent overdose on BART train, officials say

a bart train is seen in a dark tunnel at a station
A BART train stops at the Embarcadero Station. | Isaac Ceja/The Standard | Source: Isaac Ceja/The Standard

A man died aboard a BART train Monday morning of an apparent overdose, a spokesman for the transit operator said. 

At 11:17 a.m., a single call to first responders said an unresponsive man aboard an Antioch-bound Yellow Line train, BART spokesperson Chris Filippi said.

Despite the efforts of paramedics who responded to Concord station and provided life-saving measures, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office coroner’s division took custody of the body early Monday afternoon.

A sheriff’s deputy said the man’s identity was unavailable, pending next-of-kin notification.

An interior view of a BART train in San Francisco, on June 6, 2023. Bay Area SFMTA is experiencing significant state and local funding issues and both Muni and BART may need to cut rider service in order to reduce costs. | Isaac Ceja/The Standard
A BART train arrives at a station in San Francisco. | Isaac Ceja/The Standard

The incident follows delays earlier Monday caused in part by a medical issue at Civic Center station, a disabled train between two San Francisco stations and a track obstruction between two East Bay stations.

BART is said to be heading for a “fiscal cliff” due to low ridership numbers. A 2022 satisfaction survey revealed that among the biggest concerns for riders were inadequate police presence, fears about personal security and issues around homeless riders. 

Some advocates say that the increased patrols are desperately needed on the transit system: The pandemic pushed concerns about rider safety to new heights, and public perceptions about crime, cleanliness, drug use and homelessness have driven many former riders away.

George Kelly can be reached at gkelly@sfstandard.com