In 2011, a joyful selfie turned tragic when three teenage friends in Utah—Essa Ricker, Kelsea Webster, and Kelsea’s younger sister, Savannah—were struck by a fast-moving train.
The girls, train enthusiasts, stood near the Covered Bridge Canyon tracks to snap a photo. They waved at one train, unaware another was coming from the opposite direction. The space between the two trains was just a few feet—too little to escape in time.
Essa and Kelsea died instantly. Savannah was taken to the hospital but didn’t survive her brain injuries. Her mother later wrote, “It’s time to say goodbye, for now, to an angel that walked among us.”
Moments before the impact, Savannah posted on Facebook: “Standing right by a train ahaha this is awesome!!!!”
Train conductor John Anderson recalled, “They were in their own little world.” Despite blasting the horn, the teens didn’t react in time.
This heartbreaking story is a stark reminder: one missed detail can change everything. Always respect the danger zones—especially around trains.
