Two children killed while playing on Pennsylvania railroad tracks

Two children were killed after being hit by an Amtrak train while playing on railroad tracks in Chester, Pennsylvania, officials and witnesses say. Several other children escaped unharmed.

The accident occurred at 4:30 pm on Saturday when Amtrak train 161 from New York to Washington DC hit the two in Chester. Both children were pronounced dead.

Local resident Tracy said she saw five to seven children on the track just before the accident.

“I said, ‘I’ll come down before you get into an accident,’ but they just laughed and went about their business,” Tracy told WPVI-TV reporters. “I wish the children would have listened. And I’m so sorry.”

An Amtrak spokesperson said the area is fenced and has “no trespassing” signs.

Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland said the city is urging children to stay off the railroad tracks. [was],” he said. “Our prayers go out to the family.”