Young boy fatally struck by GO train in Mississauga

A boy who was fatally struck by a GO train in Mississauga was reportedly riding a motorized bike or scooter, according to police. CP24’s Courtney Heels reports.

A young boy is dead after being struck by a GO train in Mississauga on Wednesday afternoon.

Peel police said emergency crews responded to a train crossing on Alexandra Avenue, north of Lakeshore Road East, in Mississauga at 2:45 p.m.

“On arrival, first responders located a child, a young boy, 12 to 13 years of age, who had been struck by a westbound GO train, and sadly, he’s been pronounced deceased,” Peel police media relations officer Tyler Bell told reporters.

Bell said that prior to the incident, the boy and another young child were on some sort of motorized bike, riding around the area. He noted that they were not in the company of an adult.

“I’ll just say all indications at this point are that the traffic signals that you see behind me were functioning and in working order with the arms down, lights flashing and audible tone as well,” he said, adding that the child appeared to have gone around the barrier.

Bell called it an “absolutely horrible situation” for the child’s family.

“I certainly don’t want to pass on any blame towards the young man here. When I was his age, I was out on a dirt bike myself, and you should be able to go out and have fun. But this is a time, unfortunately, to remind our kids that when they’re on these bikes, to really mind the crossings, particularly at railway passing.”

The investigation into the incident resulted in trains not being able to pass through the area for several hours.

It caused “significant delays” on both the Lakeshore West and East lines.

Train service resumed around 6:30 p.m., but GO Transit warned that delays, modifications and cancellations were still possible.

“We sincerely apologize for the disruption to your travel today and appreciate your patience,” GO Transit said in a message on its website.

“Our team here at GO Transit would like to thank you for your understanding this afternoon. Today’s emergency was difficult for everyone involved.”