Three members of a family were killed by an Amtrak train near Bristol Station in Pennsylvania, sparking an outpouring of grief and questions over local rail safety.
AT A GLANCE
- Three men were fatally struck by an Amtrak train Thursday evening near Bristol Station.
- Witnesses say the victims, all family members, were trying to help each other off the tracks.
- Amtrak and SEPTA suspended service following the incident; trains later resumed with delays.
- This marks the second pedestrian fatality involving an Amtrak train in Bucks County this week.
- Authorities are investigating how the victims accessed the unfenced side of the tracks.
Fatal Accident Shakes Bristol Community
A heartbreaking accident occurred just before 6 p.m. Thursday when Amtrak train 85, en route from Boston to Richmond, fatally struck three men near Prospect and Beaver streets in Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania. According to CBS News Philadelphia, the victims were all members of the same family. Their names have not yet been released.
Bristol Borough Police Chief Joseph Moors said police were responding to reports of individuals on the tracks. “When our officers arrived, the sergeant was starting to head up to the subjects up on the railroad tracks when an Accela high-speed train traveling southbound towards Philadelphia struck all three,” Moors explained.
The victims were on a portion of the rail line that lacked protective fencing, a detail now central to public safety concerns.
Witnesses Describe a Harrowing Scene
Several local residents witnessed the tragedy unfold. Bristol resident Ashley Spencer told NBC Philadelphia she saw a younger man on the tracks, followed by an older man and a third who appeared to be attempting a rescue. “I heard the loudest screech I’ve ever heard before in my life,” she said.
The lack of fencing on one side of the tracks has prompted calls for immediate safety reviews. The opposite side is fenced off, suggesting a disparity that may have contributed to the family’s ability to access the area undetected.
Watch local news coverage of the incident and its aftermath.
Travel Disruptions and Emergency Response
Amtrak suspended all rail traffic between New York and Philadelphia in the immediate aftermath of the collision. SEPTA’s Trenton Line was also suspended “until further notice due to an Amtrak strike resulting in a fatality.” By 11:30 p.m., Amtrak had resumed service at reduced speeds, and SEPTA lines also returned to limited operation.
There were 236 passengers aboard the train at the time of the incident. None reported injuries, Amtrak confirmed. The company issued a statement acknowledging the disruption and pledging to assist with the investigation.
Ongoing Investigation and Safety Concerns
Amtrak police are leading the investigation in coordination with local authorities, as the community reels from what Police Chief Moors called a “horrific tragedy.” The case has renewed scrutiny on rail safety measures across Bucks County, especially as this is the second fatal Amtrak incident in the area this week.
Earlier in the week, another pedestrian was killed near Cornwells Heights Station, raising questions about track security and public awareness. As the investigation continues, local leaders and transit officials face growing pressure to implement preventative measures that could avert similar tragedies in the future.
