Train conductor desperately tried to warn three friends he saw taking selfies before they tragically died

A train conductor desperately tried to warn three friends who were taking a selfie on the tracks before they died.

In 2011, three teenagers – Essa Ricker, Kelsea Webster and Savannah Webster – were killed in a tragic accident.

The friends had waved to the engineers of the Utah Railway train as it passed the Covered Bridge Canyon crossing in the state.

But they had no idea that behind them there was another train – a Union Pacific train – heading in the opposite direction.

Shortly before the accident, Savannah wrote on Facebook: “Standing right next to a train, ahaha, that’s awesome!!!!”

The three teenagers posed for a selfie, unaware that a train was rapidly approaching behind them.

In the selfie, taken just seconds before the tragic incident, you can see the headlights of the rapidly approaching train creating a halo of light.

The teenagers tragically lost their lives (Union Pacific/Essa Ricker/Kelsea Webster/Savannah Webster)

John Anderson was working as a train conductor at the time, and engineer Michael Anderson was also on board.

Michael tried to honk, but the girls didn't hear him.

“They were in their own little world,” said John, who explained that both he and Michael screamed as the train approached.

“We watched in horror as we approached,” he told Union Pacific.

“We saw them for about 12 seconds until they disappeared from view and the train moved on.”

Even if the emergency brake is activated, trains traveling at 55 mph can take over a mile to come to a complete stop.

The tragic accident occurred in 2011 (Getty Stock Image)

After the train stopped, John ran to the platform and found that the first girl had no pulse.

He also realized that the second teenager was no longer alive, so he set out for Savannah.

She was seriously injured but alive.

“I told her that everything would be fine and she relaxed a little,” the conductor reassured the young woman.

“I hoped she would make it, and for some reason I really believed she would.”

Savannah underwent surgery at a local hospital, but after doctors told her parents that she would not recover from her severe brain injuries, life support was withdrawn.

Jayna Webster, Savanah and Kelsea's mother, wrote on her blog at the time: “We spoke to the doctors today and they told us that Savvy's brain injuries are too severe.

“Even though they have done everything possible, Savannah will not be able to recover any further. We will keep her alive until the end of the day, but now it is time to say goodbye to an angel who walked among us.”