PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A 12-year-old boy was killed when he was struck by a train along railroad tracks in Beaver County Friday evening.

According to officials, the boy was hit by a CSX freight train along East End Avenue near an old railroad station in Beaver.

The Beaver County Coroner’s Office has identified the boy as 12-year-old Joshua Nicol of Beaver.

“It was a screeching stop, it wasn’t just a halt,” said Lorrie Kulhman, a neighbor. “The train stopped, the neighbor heard the train stop all the sudden, and we weren’t quite sure what was going on. I took a peek out here, and it must have been a minute and the police and ambulance were all here.”

The victim was reportedly playing by the tracks with three other boys when he was struck and killed by the approaching train, according to the coroner’s office.

“The train was approaching the area of their location,” said Beaver County Deputy Coroner William Pasquale Jr. “We understand the engineer did sound his horn; unfortunately, at the last minute one of the children tried to cross in front of the engine and was struck.”

Family members and friends of the victim gathered near the scene of the accident overcome with grief.

“The family is devastated obviously,” Pasquale said. “It was a bad call for everyone given the circumstances and the age of the individual.”

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