Schools mourn students killed in tragic train accident


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SPANISH FORK -- A community is mourning the loss of two girls struck and killed by a train as they were taking pictures this weekend.

A third teen was also hit by the train, and is in critical condition at Primary Children's Medical Center. At Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork, students were paying tributes to their classmate Monday morning.

They fought back tears and sang the song, "No Time" in honor of Kelsea Webster and Essa Richter, both 15 years old.

"I just thought it was amazing. They all had emotion and it shows how much our school was hurt by this tragedy," said Madie Kay, a student. "But it's bringing us all together and helping us become closer as a school and as friends."

Kelsea was a member of the choir, and her death has sent shockwaves through the school.

"When I first heard about it, I was in disbelief," said Bryson Van Tassell.

Students in the choir sang Monday morning in 
honor of their lost member.
Students in the choir sang Monday morning in honor of their lost member.

Kelsea and Essa were killed on Saturday, along the train tracks in Spanish Fork Canyon They were taking pictures with Kelsea's 13-year-old sister, Savannah. It's believed all three girls were standing on all three sets watching one train coming from one direction, and didn't realize another one was coming from behind.

It could have been noise from the train that kept them from hearing the other train," said Sgt. Spencer Cannon with the Utah County Sheriff's Office. " Or maybe they realized it was there, but it was too late for them to get away."

Savannah was the only one to survive the accident. She was flown to the Primary Childrens, and is still in critical condition. At Diamond Fork Junior High where she and Essa have been attending school, students are praying for her.

"We're just going through the grief of the accident," said Ridge Payne, student body vice-president at Diamond Fork.

Students at both Diamond Fork and Maple Mountain wore their Sunday best today, in honor of all three girls. They say it's a sign of respect. They're also wearing turquoise ribbons in remembrance of their fun loving spirit.

"Saturday night was a horrific, tragic accident, and of course there is grief." said Lana Hiskey, a spokeswoman for the Nebo district.

She said it's somber in the high school and junior school, but grief counselors are not only helping students, but teachers as well.

At the high school there is even a wall where students can write messages to the girls and their families. And those messages have been written mostly in tears.

Email: [spark@ksl.com](<mailto: spark@ksl.com>)

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