Family mourning death of 21-month-old Massachusetts girl after fatal train strike

A Massachusetts child not even 2 years old has tragically died.

According to authorities, on Wednesday, at approximately 6:15 p.m. a 21-month-old girl was struck and killed by an Amtrak train near the railroad tracks behind Emily Street in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield.

The toddler was taken to Baystate Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries.

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, Gloria Elikana tragically lost her life.

“Gloria was the beloved daughter of Elikana Jackson and Happiness Raphael, immigrants from Tanzania with roots in Burundi and Rwanda. The family fled the genocide and lived as refugees in Tanzania until they found hope and a new beginning in the United States in 2016. Gloria leaves behind her siblings Grace (13), Jackson (10), Beatrice (8), Brighton (5), and Justin (3), who are all struggling to understand and cope with the loss of their little sister.”

The investigation is being handled by the Springfield Police Detective Bureau and remains ongoing. The Department of Children and Families has been notified and is also involved.