A woman was killed by a vintage steam train in front of horrified onlookers as she tried to take a selfie in front of it.
The unnamed victim was standing too close to the tracks with her mobile phone in her hand. Tragedy struck while the locomotive was passing through Nopala de Villagrán, located northwest of the Mexican capital, Mexico City on Monday.
The horror clip showed the victim, seen wearing an orange top, preparing to take a snap standing near a child. As the train approaches, the youngster ducks down and the woman readies herself for the snap.
She drops to one knee and the corner of the train engine hits her on the back of her head, sending her crashing forwards. The shocked child runs away as a nearby man grabs the victim’s body and drags it away from the passing train just inches away.
The emergency services arrived on the scene, but they could only confirm the woman’s death. Local reports described the woman as being in her mid-20s, and said she was with her son and children from a nearby school. She is believed to have been killed on the spot.
Four human skulls wrapped in tin foil found in package going from Mexico to USThe Canadian Pacific 2816, better known as the ‘Empress’, is a steam locomotive built in 1930 for the Canadian Pacific Railway. The passenger train set out from Calgary in April to cross Canada, the US, and Mexico in a single trip as part of the Final Spike Steam Tour to celebrate a friendly merger that created Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC). The tour will conclude in Mexico City on Friday.
The train, carefully restored for this event, will return to Canada in July, when it will be retired. Later that evening, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City company said in a statement that they regret the incident and are collaborating with the police to carry out a full investigation.
CPKC Mexico said in a statement: “A woman has been fatally injured while she was very close to the track taking a picture. This tragic incident is under investigation. We are deeply saddened by this loss of life and wish to express our condolences to the family and loved ones of this lady.
“CPKC Mexico is cooperating with the relevant authorities and will make all the necessary information available to investigators. CPKC Mexico calls on people who come to witness the passing of this locomotive to take precautions and not approach or cross the railway tracks for their own safety and that of the crew on board.
“All those people who want to observe the passing of the train should remain at least 10 metres away from the tracks. People should never stop near or on the tracks themselves or try to climb onto the train or any railway infrastructure. Always be careful around railway tracks and trains.”
CPKC corporate historian Adam Meeks said of the train, which was built in 1930 and operated until 1960, before it departed: “It’s really the most beautiful steam locomotive on rails.”