In 2011, a tragic incident in Utah’s Spanish Fork Canyon claimed the lives of three teenage girls—Essa Ricker, Kelsea Webster, and her sister Savannah—who were struck by a Union Pacific train while taking a selfie near the tracks.
The girls, engrossed in capturing the moment, failed to notice the approaching train. Engineer John Anderson, who was operating the train, sounded the horn in an attempt to warn them, but it was too late. Essa and Kelsea died at the scene, while 13-year-old Savannah succumbed to her injuries later in the hospital.
Prior to the accident, Savannah had posted on Facebook: “Standing right by a train ahaha this is awsome!!!!”
The tragedy deeply affected the train operators, both of whom were fathers. Kelsea and Savannah’s mother emphasized the preventable nature of the accident and urged others to heed rail safety warnings to avoid similar heartbreak.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers associated with taking selfies in hazardous locations, particularly near train tracks. It underscores the importance of awareness and caution to prevent such avoidable tragedies.