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Two Spanish Fork teenage girls were killed and a third was in critical condition Saturday night after they were hit by two freight trains.

Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon said the girls, ages 13 to 16, were between the two railroad tracks about 6:40 p.m. near the Covered Bridge Canyon crossing and State Route 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon when two trains — an eastbound and westbound — approached them at the same time. The eastbound engineer tried to warn the girls by sounding the train horn, but was unable to get their attention, Cannon said.

"As he was passing them, the wind between the two trains may have caught them up in it," he said.

The investigation continues, but Cannon said the three teens — two of whom were sisters — apparently lost their balance and fell into one passing train and then were knocked into the other.

He said the teens were in the area taking pictures just before the accident. Their families have been notified, he said.

The injured teen was transported to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

Officials aren't yet releasing the girls' identities.

Union Pacific spokesman Aaron Hunt said the eastbound train was operated by his company and the other was operated by Utah Railway.

He said the Union Pacific train tried to stop when the operator saw the girls on the tracks, but was unable to do so.

"It's a really difficult thing for Union Pacific," he said. "Obviously our hearts go out to everybody that's impacted by this."

He said the company's employees that were involved will be receiving counseling. The incident, he said, serves as reminder to stay away from tracks except when crossing and even then to be careful. He said it is very difficult sometimes to spot trains at a distance depending on weather and lighting.

"It goes without saying but it's a very somber reminder that railroad tracks are very dangerous," he said.