A boy was fatally struck by a westbound GO train in Mississauga on Wednesday afternoon, police say.
The boy was believed to be 12 or 13 years old, according to Const. Tyler Bell-Morena, spokesperson for Peel Regional Police.
He was hit near a crossing close to Alexandra Avenue and Fourth Street, Bell-Morena said. Officers were called to the area before 3 p.m. for reports of a collision involving a train.
“This is an absolutely horrible situation for the family involved,” Bell-Morena told reporters near the scene.
Morena-Bell said evidence suggests the boy went around the barrier and was struck by the train. He said he was with another child at the time.
Police say they have information to suggest that the boys were on some kind of motorized bicycle in the area and were not with an adult.
Bell-Morena said police extend their condolences to the family and their thoughts are also with the train conductor.
Traffic signals appeared to have been working, along with train arms, flashing lights and an audible tone, Bell-Morena said.
“I certainly don’t want to pass on any blame towards the young man here. When I was his age, I was out on a dirt bike myself. And you should be able to go out and have fun,” he said.
“But this is a time, unfortunately, to remind our kids that when they’re on these bikes, to really mind the crossings, particularly at railway passings here.”
Police will investigate the boy’s death while Metrolinx will investigate the collision involving the train, he said. There continues to be a large police presence in the area.
GO Train service was halted on a stretch of the Lakeshore West line following the boy’s death, Metrolinx said. The provincial transit agency confirmed the fatality in a statement Wednesday.
Metrolinx says the boy was hit by a GO Train between Long Branch GO and Port Credit GO stations, west of the Long Branch GO station.
“Trains cannot move through the area until a full investigation is completed,” GO Transit had said on its website.
“Please expect significant delays, modifications and possible cancellations.”
Metrolinx said about 500 to 600 people were on board the train that hit the child and they were to be transferred onto another train.
The agency said emergency personnel continue to be in the area of the fatality, but one track has been released for use and Metrolinx has begun to run service through the area.
Train service is operating between Long Branch and Union Station stations. Train service is also operating between Port Credit GO and stations west, up to Niagara, with bus shuttles running between Port Credit and Long Branch stations, Metrolinx said.
On its website, GO Transit says westbound trains will end at Long Branch GO and eastbound trains will end at Port Credit GO.
Fourth Street is closed from Ogden to Alexandra Avenues, while Alexandra Avenue is closed from Fourth Street to Lakeshore Road E.
Commuters who take the Lakeshore West line can get more detailed instructions here.
