EUDORA, Kan. – Two teens who were struck by a train are recovering at area hospitals.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, shortly after 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, two male minors, around the age of 16, were on train tracks on a bridge over a creek in a rural area. The boys then heard an oncoming train and started to head east in an attempt to outrun it. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe train struck both males, causing them to fall down into loose gravel near the tracks.
“There was one helicopter that circled around for a little bit and it landed in a clearing somewhere out there,” said Ryan Lavery, who was near the scene when the accident happened. “We were walking around town and we heard a bunch of police cars and stuff so we came down here and there was a line of fire trucks and stuff.”
The conductor of the train stopped the engine as soon as he realized he had hit the boys, and then called 911. Both victims were life flighted to Kansas City area hospitals with serious injuries. One of the teens is from Eudora, and the other is from Lawrence.
As of Sunday evening, one of the teens who was taken to Children’s Mercy was listed in stable condition. On Monday, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the other teen, who was flown to KU Med was still in serious condition.
Joseph Sollars, who was near the area where the accident happened said after reading Facebook posts from friends he believes he knows the victims.
“I’ve already seen like two posts, like pray for them, hopefully they are okay,” he said.
Both teens’ parents have been notified.
Earlier coverage:
