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Savannah "Savvy" Webster, 13, died Tuesday night, three days after she was in a train accident that killed her sister and another friend.
"The family spoke to the doctors today, Tuesday, October 18, and the doctors informed the family that Savvy's brain injuries are too great," the family wrote in a public message. "Even though the doctors have done everything possible, Savannah will not be able to recover. It is time to say goodbye, for now, to an angel that walked among us."
Webster was with her sister, Kelsea Webster, and friend, Essa Ricker — both 15 — on Saturday when they were struck by two freight trains in Spanish Fork Canyon. Kelsey Webster and Ricker died at the scene.
Jayna Webster, mother of Kelsea and Savannah, wrote: "Our hearts are full as others' love has reached across the miles and touched our family. We know that our girls will find a special place in God's arms and that His purpose and plan will continue."
The family is planning a funeral for the Webster girls for this Saturday and will release details soon, Jayna Webster wrote. Ricker's family is planning a private memorial, said Lana Hiskey, spokeswoman for the Nebo School District, where all three girls were students. Memorial funds for the Webster and Ricker families have been set up in the girls' names at Zion's Bank, Hiskey said; the Websters' fund also will go toward Savannah's medical bills.
The Websters wrote that Savannah's available organs are being donated.
Investigators Tuesday were getting a clearer picture of what led to their death. Utah County sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon said that investigators had not yet reached conclusions, but they are certain both trains — one an eastbound Union Pacific train and the other westbound Utah Railway train — struck at least two of the three teenagers, if not all three.
The accident occurred about 6:40 p.m. Saturday. The girls, who were reported to have been a safe distance away initially, waved to the engineers of the Utah Railway train as its lead engine passed by.
Shortly afterward, as the Utah Railway train continued to roll past the scene, near the Covered Bridge Canyon crossing and U.S. Highway 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon, the Union Pacific train came from the opposition direction. Cannon said the girls were between the two trains as that happened; the Union Pacific train's engineer sounded his horn when he saw the girls.
The tracks the trains were on are about six feet apart at the site, said Cannon, adding that the clearance between the two trains and its cars was roughly 3-4 feet.
The resulting turbulence not only was likely strong enough to buffet the girls, but investigators have learned the experience of being trapped between two trains in close proximity can cause vertigo, Cannon said.
The working theory on Tuesday was that the impact of one train propelled the victims into the other train, he said.
"Which one of them hit them first? We're still investigating," Cannon said. "I'm not sure that would make a difference in what we do know, however. By the time that eastbound train came along, the girls were in very close proximity to that train. ... At least two of them were hit by both trains, probably all three."
Students at the girls' schools — Diamond Fork Junior High School and Maple Mountain High School — used Facebook and texting to encourage their classmates to show up for classes Monday in their best dress to honor the three girls.
"There has been so much support shown at the schools," Jayna Webster wrote. "A family member made it to the school [on Best Dress day] and was greeted with masses of kids in skirts and shirts and ties. It meant so much."
Counselors will remain available Wednesday to meet with grieving students.
"The amount of love that has been sent our way has been overwhelming," Jayna Webster wrote. "It has kept our spirits up and brought us a peace that you may not even understand."