Police: 2-Year-Old Struck, Killed By Trolley In West Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police say a two-year-old girl has died after being struck by a SEPTA trolley in West Philadelphia Thursday afternoon.
Witnesses tell Eyewitness News she ran out in front of the trolley and the operator could not stop in time.
Chopper 3 was over the scene of 51st and Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia where emergency crews could be seen surrounding the area.
Asia Houston, a passenger, says "Out of nowhere a two-year-old ran in front of the trolley and got run over."
SEPTA says the child was in the company of a female guardian.
Houston says, "I don't know how she got away from them."
The fire department and paramedics responded within minutes to the call around 1 p.m.
Battalion Chief Michael Richey says, "As you can guess with the trolley and the weight of those trucks underneath, the firefighters have to be very careful how they approach it. It has to be a delicate operation because you have a human being beneath it."
SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestel says there is nothing worse than coming to an accident scene that is silent.
"You come to these and it breaks your heart. A two-year-old gets killed by a trolley... This is sad."
Investigators say they are reviewing video from the trolley and nearby businesses. They say they are also talking to witnesses.