Savannah Webster posted a tragic final message on social media just hours before her death.
Thirteen-year-old Savannah, along with her 15-year-old sister, Kelsea, and their friend Essa Ricker, also 15, sadly passed away in October 2011.
The three friends had ventured out in their Utah hometown when they found themselves near train tracks.
They paused to take a selfie, unaware of the approaching train. Tragically, all three were struck and killed.
Yesterday (October 15) marked the 13th anniversary of this sorrowful event.
In the years since, John Anderson, the train conductor on duty that day in 2011, has reflected on the events leading to the accident.
“We watched in horror as we got closer,” he recounted. “We saw them for about 12 seconds until they disappeared from our sight and the train continued moving forward.”
He attempted to warn the girls, but they didn’t hear him.
Before the tragic event, Savannah had shared a post on Facebook.
Her post read: “Standing right by a train ahaha this is awsome!!!! [sic]”
Kelsea and Essa died immediately, while Savannah succumbed to her injuries three days later when her life support was turned off after doctors informed her parents of her unrecoverable brain injuries.
Providing an update back then, Jayna Webster, Savannah and Kelsea’s mother, wrote on a blog, as reported by MailOnline: “We spoke to the doctors today and they informed us that Savvy’s brain injuries were too great.
“Even though they’ve had done everything possible Savannah will not be able to recover any further. We will keep her on life support till the end of the day, but it’s time to say good bye, for now, to an angel that walked among us.”
A tribute written for Essa described her as ‘a free spirit who had her own style’.
It continued: “Her trademark was her beautiful smile, mismatched socks and her bright colored shoes.
“Essa loved to take pictures and draw. She enjoyed gymnastics and was often outside jumping on the trampoline.
“She was a student at Diamond Fork Jr. High School and loved all of her friends there.”
Essa was laid to rest on October 20, while the Webster family held a joint funeral for Savannah and Kelsea on October 22.
If you are grieving and need someone to talk to, contact The Compassionate Friends at (877) 969-0010 for confidential support.