Three American teenagers tragically lost their lives shortly after being warned about an impending danger.
Back in 2011, Savannah Webster, at just 13 years old, joined her older sister Kelsea, 15, and their friend Essa Ricker, also 15, at the Covered Bridge Canyon train crossing. This picturesque location is situated in Utah’s beautiful Spanish Fork Canyon, less than an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City.
The trio, like many young people, took photos to commemorate their day together.
Savannah, affectionately known as Savy, shared on Facebook: “Standing right by a train ahaha this is awsome!!!!”
The girls had planned a photo opportunity with a train rushing by, unaware of another train approaching them from behind.
A haunting photo shows the three girls taking a selfie near the tracks, unaware of the imminent danger posed by the approaching train, moving at approximately 39mph.
In the background of the photo, the eastbound Union Pacific train locomotive can be seen nearing them, with John Anderson as the conductor.
Recounting the tragic event, John Anderson remembered how he sounded the train’s horn as a warning to the girls.
Both John and the train’s engineer, Michael Anderson, leaned out of the window, shouting for the girls to move, but tragically, their warnings went unheeded.
“They were in their own little world,” John told Union Pacific.
“We watched in horror as we got closer. We saw them for about 12 seconds until they disappeared from our sight and the train continued moving forward.”
Essa and Kelsea died instantly.
After stopping the train, John and Michael hurried to the scene and found Savannah still alive.
John recounted holding Savannah’s hand, saying: “I told her everything would be okay and she relaxed a little. I hoped she would make it and for some reason I really thought she would.”
Despite their hopes, Savannah succumbed to her injuries in the hospital, after doctors informed her family that her brain injuries were ‘too great,’ leading to the decision to turn off her life support.
If you have experienced a bereavement and need support, you can contact The Compassionate Friends at (877) 969-0010 for confidential assistance.