SOUTH NEWTON TOWNSHIP, PA – A small community in Cumberland County is reeling after a 15-month-old child was fatally hit by a train on Friday morning. The incident occurred around 10 a.m. on the 400 block of West Main Street in South Newton Township. State Police report that the toddler was struck by a Norfolk Southern train.
Several homes, including Matt Peters’, are situated close by the rail tracks along the busy road, separated by a slight embankment and a few hundred yards. Peters, who has lived in this area for many years, estimates that around 30 to 40 trains travel by each day. The tracks are accessible, and he pointed out, “Anybody can walk up on the tracks, I know you’re not supposed to because it’s trespassing.”
The community is stunned by the tragedy. Peters expressed his disbelief and sorrow, saying, “Devastating. It didn’t happen to me. It made me tear up.” Cheyenne Campbell, another local resident of nearly 30 years, echoed Peter’s sentiments, saying “It’s just really sad as a mom of young kids as well what she’s going to go through, what the family’s going through, and their community.”
Norfolk Southern has issued a statement about the tragic event to express their condolences and offer support to those who have been impacted. The Pennsylvania State Police Carlisle investigation unit has launched an inquiry into the incident. As of now, no information regarding the presence of the child’s parents during the incident or the potential filing of charges has been released.