A 1-year-old girl in Missouri was tragically hit by a train and died on Saturday, May 13. Young Harper’s parents, Daylea and Hunter, who declined to use their last names, said their daughter was just weeks away from celebrating her second birthday.
The Ray County Sheriff’s Office called it a “tragic event” and asked for the public to respect the family’s privacy in a statement posted on Facebook. A service will be held for Harper on Thursday, May 18, at Thurman Funeral Home, per the obituary.
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Her parents said she was a very happy and adventurous baby.
“Harper was very adventurous,” Harper’s mother, Daylea, told KCTV 5. “She never wanted to do anything alone. She never wanted help. I don’t blame anyone.” Daylea also said that she is praying for the train’s operator. “Harper was a happy baby. She loved everybody,” Daylea said.
Sheriff Scott Childers said that he was profoundly affected by the loss, along with other first responders who arrived at the scene on Saturday. Childers added that he hopes the railroad, county, and city can add a fence along the railroad tracks in their community and in other communities that are next to train tracks, the outlet reported.
Local authorities are asking the public to respect the family's privacy.
The Ray County Sheriff’s Office addressed the incident in a Facebook post on Saturday and wrote, “Today the sheriff’s office along with multiple agencies worked a tragic event in Hardin. At this time we will not be making any statements. We ask you pray for all affected by today’s event and respect their privacy.”
A comment on the post by Sheriff Scott Childers said that he was personally “struggling with the situation,” and added that he “can’t imagine the trauma the family is going through.”
Comments had to be turned off on the Facebook post due to hurtful statements and questions being posted. Childers addressed the issue writing, “This is a small community and we need to lift each other up instead of tear it down.”
Sadly, there are a high number of accidents related to walking on railroad tracks.
While it is unclear how the 1-year-old girl ended up on the train tracks or where her parents were at the time of the incident, this heartbreaking story highlights the need to practice safety around railroad tracks. The communications director for a nonprofit rail safety organization Operation Lifesaver Inc, Jennifer DeAngelis, said, “Every three hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train,” reported WTOP.
DeAngelis explained, “Walking on railroad tracks is trespassing, it’s illegal and it’s very dangerous. The only place safe to cross is at a designated railroad crossing, so sometimes that means making the choice to walk a bit further in one direction or the other, to cross the tracks if you’re a pedestrian.”
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A memorial and GoFundMe have been set up to honor and support the toddler and her family.
A memorial was set up for Harper nearby where she died by the railroad tracks, reported People. A GoFundMe has also been set up for the family for the upcoming expenses after this devastating incident. So far over $20,000 has been raised to help the family.
Heather Tole, presumably a friend of the family wrote: “After a tragic accident this morning and the loss of Hunter and Daylea’s sweet baby Harper, we have put together this go fund me to help with the unexpected upcoming expenses and for future needs for them and their little family. Anything will help and prayers are welcome!”
