In a devastating tragedy, five people, including two children, were killed when a train collided with an SUV crossing railroad tracks in Hillsborough County, Florida on Saturday evening. The group of seven individuals was on their way to a quincea?±era at a home located just across the tracks when the fatal accident occurred around 6:45 p.m. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, four males and three females were in the car, with some of them being children.

Eyewitnesses reported that a witness parked near the tracks honked their horn in an attempt to alert the group of the approaching train. However, despite the warning, the SUV continued to move forward and was struck by the train. Sheriff Chad Chronister described the horrifying scene, stating that "the SUV, we can see from the video begins to catapult and flip violently several times before it landed a distance from this crossing."

The railroad crossing area where the incident took place is not heavily traveled and is only marked by a stop sign, urging drivers to stop and look both ways. Deputies and first responders rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call about the accident near Jim Lefler Circle and U.S. Route 92 in Plant City. Chronister expressed his shock at the aftermath of the collision, describing the crushed SUV as resembling "a soft drink can that's been smashed."

Tragically, five passengers were violently ejected from the SUV and pronounced dead at the scene. The victims, three females and two males, included at least two children aged 10 and 14. Rescue efforts were able to save two males, the driver and front passenger, from the wreckage using the jaws of life. They were immediately transported to a local hospital where they remain in critical and serious condition.

At this time, the exact relationship between all seven passengers remains unknown. Sheriff Chronister emphasized the devastating loss, stating, "The word devastating doesn't even begin to describe the tragedy that unfolded here. Hillsborough County lost a family today, and our hearts are shattered." All the victims are believed to be residents of Plant City.

Authorities reported that a freight train collided with the SUV, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including two children, and leaving two adults in critical condition. The family of seven, who have not been identified, was en route to a quincea?±era when the accident occurred in Plant City, a city located 25 miles east of Tampa. Sheriff Chronister held a press conference where he described the events as devastating and tragic.

Police obtained video footage that showed the Cadillac Escalade slowly approaching the railroad crossing, which lacked crossing arms and was only marked by a stop sign. Despite warnings from witnesses and the train conductor, who honked their horns and flashed their lights, the SUV continued to cross the tracks without looking both ways. The collision was unavoidable due to the train's speed of 55 miles per hour.

The force of the impact caused all five passengers sitting in the backseat to be ejected from the SUV, resulting in their immediate death. Among the deceased were two males and three females, including children aged 10 and 14. The driver and front-seat passenger, both adult men, were trapped inside the severely damaged vehicle. After being rescued by the jaws of life, they were rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

Sheriff Chronister expressed his grief and shock at the scene, acknowledging the possibility that an entire family lost their lives that night. The investigation into the tragedy is ongoing, and authorities are working to identify all seven individuals involved in the crash. It is believed that the victims were local residents on their way to a quincea?±era celebration.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office received the initial emergency call from an iPhone equipped with crash detection. Investigators are still trying to determine why the SUV entered the train's path. In the meantime, prayers were requested for the first responders, deputies, and loved ones affected by this heart-wrenching accident. The community is deeply shaken by the loss of a family in such a tragic manner.