Bicyclist killed after riding around gate arm and being hit by TRAX train

SANDY, Utah — A person was killed after riding their bicycle around the downed gate arm at a TRAX crossing and being struck by a train Monday morning, officials with the Utah Transit Authority confirmed.

Carl Arky, a public information officer for UTA, said the incident happened at 8751 South in Sandy around 7:30 a.m.

The victim, who is not being identified at this time, was on their bicycle heading westbound when they encountered a train crossing.

According to Arky, the bicyclist noticed the train heading northbound and waited at the gate until the train had passed. However, the gate arms remained down after the northbound train passed and the bicyclist then went under the gate arm, not noticing the southbound train coming and was struck and killed.

“This is why the gates remain down and the lights remain flashing and the bells keep ringing sometimes because you may have two trains getting to the crossing at the same time, heading in opposite directions,” Arky said. “And while motorists or pedestrians may see one of those trains, they may not see the other one. ”

The bicyclist was killed on impact. Police confirmed on the scene that the victim was a juvenile.

“I know it’s frustrating for people, but that’s for their safety. Tragically, the pedestrian on a bicycle didn’t observe the safety measures that were taken there,” Arky said.

The juvenile has not been identified but was a student at Jordan High School.

.@canyonsdistrict confirms the victim who died in the TRAX incident in Sandy this morning was a student at Jordan High. Grief counselors are on hand to help students and staff work through this tragedy. I’ll have a live update at 12 p.m. @KSL5TV

— Tamara Vaifanua (@TamaraVaifanua) April 18, 2022

Dr. Bruce Eschler, principal of the school, released the following statement Monday:

“This message is for parents and guardians of students at Jordan High. With great sadness, I’m writing to inform our school community that a Jordan High student has died from injuries sustained in a Monday morning accident on the TRAX line near our campus. 

The death of a peer can be difficult for teenagers to process, and our school has a plan in place to provide students with the appropriate supports. Starting immediately, Jordan High counselors, assisted by Canyons District student-services staff members, will be available to meet with students who may be experiencing difficult emotions. Students can seek the help by going to the Counseling Center.

Unexpected events like death can be difficult and, like adults, children express emotions by grieving. Yet, our students may not demonstrate grief in the same manner. The following information is provided for parents and others who may find themselves in a position of guiding a student through the grieving process. In addition, if the children in your family need extra assistance, counseling supports are available through CSD. Please read the information below and let us know if we can provide additional support to help you and your families.

Signs of Grieving in Children and Adolescents

• Sadness, anxiety, chronic fatigue, anger, denial, shock, confusion, extended depression. Watch for changes in their normal behavioral functioning.
• Inability to sleep, nightmares, loss of appetite, prolonged fear of being alone
• Frequent physical complaints such as stomachaches and headaches

Helping Children and Adolescents Grieve

Long-term denial or avoidance of grief is unhealthy for children and may resurface later with more severe problems. Here is a list of things you can do to help a child overcome grief:

• Answer their questions simply and honestly. Only offer details that they can absorb. Don’t overload them with information.
• Give them a chance to talk about their fears and validate their feelings. Offer a simple expression of sorrow and take time to listen.
• People are repetitive in their grief. Respond patiently to their uncertainty and concerns. It can take a long time to recover from a loss.
• Children can be physical in their grief. Watch their bodies and look for any changes.
• Some children need to talk about a traumatic experience all the time and others don’t want to talk at all. This is normal. While it is important not to force children to talk about their experiences, it is also critical for parents to let them know they are willing and available to listen.
• Giving children choices helps them feel some control when their environment has felt out of control. Choosing food, clothes, what games to play—any appropriate choices—can be helpful.
• Children still need discipline. It helps them feel safe to know their parents won’t let them get away with too much and that normal rules still apply.
• Parents will want to establish daily routines as soon as they can. Meals, bedtimes and other regular parts of their day can help children feel comforted and know what to expect.
• Sometimes children react to trauma and stress with anger. They may feel it gives them a sense of control. Adults should be understanding but hold children responsible for their behavior. It is not OK to hurt others and break other home and school rules, even if students are stressed.
• Parents should remember to take good care of themselves, too. This will help them have the energy necessary to take care of their children. Their ability to cope with traumatic events will help their children cope, as well.

Canyons District also has additional services if your student needs a little help processing grief. Students and their parents and guardians have access to free services at the Canyons Family Center located at Mount Jordan Middle, 9351 S. Mountaineer Lane. The phone number to the Canyons Family Center is 801-826-8190.

In addition, if emergency help is needed guiding students through the grieving process, students and their families have all-day-and-all-night access to licensed counselors at the University of Utah’s Neuropsychiatric Institute via the mobile app, SafeUT.

Thank you for your support of Jordan High, even in the most difficult of times.  If you have questions about this or any other issue regarding the school, please do not hesitate to send me an email message at bruce.eschler@canyonsdistrict.org.”