By Tony LaRussa

Published: Friday, November 2, 2012, 10:04 p.m.
Updated: Friday, March 29, 2013

A 12-year-old boy who was playing with friends near railroad tracks in Beaver on Friday evening was struck and killed when he darted out in front of an approaching train, according to authorities.

“A group of (four) kids were playing next to the rails as a train was approaching and it is my understanding that the engineer did sound his horn,” said Bill Pasquale, a Beaver County deputy coroner. “Unfortunately, at the last moment, one of the children tried to cross (the tracks) and was struck.”

Beaver County Coroner Teri Tatalovich-Rossi identified the victim as Joshua Nicol of Beaver.

The accident occurred at about 6:15 p.m. near East End Avenue, according to Beaver County 911.

The train had three locomotives and 120 freight cars loaded with coal, said Bob Sullivan, a spokesman for CSX. He said the train was traveling on CSX lines from Newell, Fayette County, to New Castle, Lawrence County.

Beaver County police declined comment saying the incident is still under investigation.

Tony LaRussa is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at tlarussa@tribweb.com or 412-320-7987.

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.