A young boy from California died instantly when a train struck a minivan with the child and his family inside.
The car was parked at the intersection of East Shields and North Maroa avenues when an Amtrak train struck it at 5:40 pm Tuesday, said police Lt. Andre Benson.
Police are now trying to determine whether the railroad crossing gate was working properly or how the minivan got stuck on the tracks.
According to reports, there was a long line of vehicles waiting to go to the Christmas Tree Lane and the attraction was scheduled to open at 6 pm.
“Unfortunately, as a result of the impact of the train colliding with the vehicle, a small child was ultimately killed,” Benson said.
The child’s mother and other people inside the vehicle suffered mild injuries and were taken to Community Regional Center, ABC30 reported.
A friend of the family has set up a GoFundMe page to help the child’s grieving mother with her child’s funeral expenses.
“I am asking for your help and support from the Community during this painful and difficult time for my friend Ana Acosta with the funeral expenses of her little 5 year old Anton Isaac Solorio,” Cynthia Guzman wrote.
One person commented: “CONDOLENCES to family and friends for their loss of this little boy. He just wanted to see the bright lights of Christmas. Prayers for all the survivors and their healing. How very sad the holidays are going to be for the family, friends and community. Never sit on a train track or try to our run a train. So sad.”
Another wrote: “Poor child. So sad but so preventable.”
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