A FATHER and his two sons have died in a horrific train crash after one of the men leapt onto the tracks during a mental health crisis, police said.
Christopher Cramp, 56, and David Cramp, 31, were trying to save Thomas Cramp, 24, when all three were fatally struck by an Amtrak train.
On Thursday evening at 6 pm, police hurried to a location in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which is approximately 45 minutes away from Philadelphia. The reason for their quick response was a report claiming that individuals were standing on the railroad tracks.
Shortly after their arrival, emergency personnel witnessed a tragic event as a train traveling from Boston, Massachusetts to Richmond, Virginia collided with the group of people.
A police official revealed to LevittownNow.com that Christopher and David raced onto the tracks because they were chasing Thomas, who was suicidal.
According to accounts from bystanders, there was a young man who seemed to be quite upset, accompanied by an older man who was talking on his phone as they were approaching the area, as reported by the Bucks County Courier Times.
Death reports for the family reveal that David and Christopher’s causes of death were listed as accidents, while Thomas’s was listed as a suicide, NBC affiliate WCAU reported.
Officials in the close-knit community of Bristol, which is about 45 minutes outside Philadelphia, have been left heartbroken by the deaths.
Christopher worked as a project coordinator for the county government and has been remembered as a staple in the community who dedicated his life to helping address homelessness.
Both Thomas and David were dads, and Thomas was a father of five, his heartbroken family members told the Bristol Daily Voice.
“This is an absolute tragedy,” said Bristol Borough’s Police Chief Joe Moors.
“This is a horrifying tragedy.”
In a heartwrenching statement, Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia said, “This is truly devastating to the people of Bristol, to employees that worked with Chris in the county and to so many unnamed people whose life he changed.”
Nick Emeigh, director of NAMI Bucks County, said that Christopher died a hero trying to save his son.
“If there’s anyone who would give his own life trying to save someone else, it would be Chris,” he said.
“He was a hero.”
‘LOUDEST SCREECH’
Two hundred thirty-six people were on board the Amtrak when the crash took place, but there were no other injuries.
Ashley Spencer, who was a passenger on the train, described the horrific moment the Amtrak train tried to stop before the crash.
“I heard the loudest screech I’ve ever heard before in my life,” Spencer told CBS affiliate KYW-TV.
“Like it was trying to brake and it couldn’t.”
Another passenger, Shauna Hailey, described having a terrible feeling as soon as her trip stopped short.
“All of a sudden, the train came to a staggering stop, and you knew something was wrong,” Hailey told ABC affiliate WPVI-TV.
“I think everyone on the train is just in shock as to this actually happened.
“You hear about these things happening, but you don’t really expect to be on the train when it happens.”
Hailey said she felt heartbroken for the family who had just lost three treasured members, saying, “This is not an easy thing.
“I feel horrible for the families involved, for the Amtrak employees […] I do hope that the engineer who is in charge of the train gets all the help they need.”
Train services were suspended for hours after the wreck, but Amtrak and SEPTA’s Trenton Line were restored later into the night.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
