A train conductor recounted the harrowing moments leading up to a trag!c accident involving a group of teenage girls. In 2011, 15-year-olds Essa Ricker and Kelsea Webster, along with Kelsea’s younger sister Savannah, spent the day together capturing memories, as many teens do, with photos intended for social media.
What began as a simple selfie near the train tracks in Utah’s Spanish Fork Canyon turned deadly when they failed to notice an oncoming train. The three girls were struck, leading to fatal consequences. John Anderson, the conductor of the eastbound Union Pacific train, described how engineer Michael Anderson blew the horn and yelled to warn the girls, but they were oblivious to the danger. “They were in their own little world,” John said.
For about 12 seconds, the train crew watched helplessly as the girls remained unaware until it was too late. After the train came to a stop, John discovered that Essa and Kelsea had died on impact. Thirteen-year-old Savannah was seriously injured but still alive. John comforted her, hoping she would pull through, but Savannah’s injuries were too severe. Her family later made the heart-wrenching decision to remove her from life support after doctors confirmed she would not recover.
Shortly before her death, Savannah posted on Facebook: “Standing right by a train ahaha this is awsome!!!! [sic]”
Their mother, Jayna Webster, wrote on a blog, as reported by MailOnline, that the doctors had done all they could but that Savannah’s brain injuries were too extensive. The family said their goodbyes, and Savannah passed away on October 18, 2011, just days after her sister and Essa.