16-year-old boy, 14-year-old girl dead after being struck by UP Express train
Posted March 4, 2024 11:28 pm.
Last Updated March 5, 2024 6:17 pm.
Two teenagers are dead after they were struck by a UP Express train in Toronto’s west end on Monday evening.
Emergency crews were called to the tracks west of Bloor GO station, near Eglinton Avenue West and Weston Road, around 10 p.m. for reports of someone being struck by a train.
Police later confirmed that a second victim was located. They were both pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators have identified the deceased as a 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl. In an update on Tuesday morning, police say the victims’ families have been notified and they will not be releasing their names.
Investigators are still working to determine why the pair were on the tracks at the time of the collision, but a police source told CityNews the collision appears to be a case of “misadventure.”
Police say the train had over 200 passengers on it at the time of the crash and the operators on board were the first to call 911 after the collision. Passengers were held on the train for some time during the police investigation but were eventually let off at Mount Dennis.
“These incidents are traumatic for both the families of the victims and the persons involved on the train,” says Toronto police Insp. Keri Fernandes. “Toronto police are seeking anyone with information about what happened to come forward.”
Counselling is being offered to the victims’ families as well as anyone who was on the train when the crash occurred, police say.
Toronto police are reminding residents that railways present a danger at all times and urge everyone to stay off of train tracks.
Train service resumes Tuesday
The collision halted Monday evening UP Express service and prompted GO Transit to run shuttle buses between Union and Etobicoke North GO stations.
UP Express trains and GO trains share the Kitchener GO line between Union Station and Pearson Airport.
Regular service resumed on Tuesday morning for both UP Express and GO Transit.
With files from Carl Hanstke
