Father, 2 sons identified after being struck, killed by Amtrak train in Bucks County
Bucks County coroner said on Friday they are 56-year-old Christopher Cramp, 31-year-old David Cramp and 24-year-old Thomas Cramp
BRISTOL BOROUGH, Pa. (WPVI) -- A father and his two sons have been identified after being struck and killed by an Amtrak train in Bristol, Bucks County.
Bucks County coroner said on Friday they are 56-year-old Christopher Cramp, 31-year-old David Cramp and 24-year-old Thomas Cramp.
Christopher and David's deaths have been ruled an accident, while Thomas' death has been ruled a suicide.
Officials said Christopher and David were trying to stop Thomas from taking his own life when all three were struck by the train.
Bristol Borough Police Chief Joseph Moors said officers initially responded around 6 p.m. on Thursday for people on the tracks at Beaver and Prospect streets at the Bristol Station.
Three people were quickly spotted, but soon after, they were struck by an Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 85, en route to Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, according to officials.
They were all pronounced dead at the scene.
"This is an absolute tragedy. We have three victims involved in this tragedy here," Moors said.
Remembering the family
Officials said the family is very well known and very well liked within the community. Those who knew Chris described him as someone who dedicated his entire life to helping the homeless and the mentally ill in Bucks County.
"In this county, Chris was an adored member of our staff and, quite frankly, he was an integral and irreplaceable member of the social service organizations in Bucks County," said Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia.
Chris's colleague, Nicholas Emeigh, from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, says Chris wasn't just a co-worker, he was a dear friend.
"He was at every event that we had, and I don't know when he slept. So, you know, he really was a unique individual, and it leaves a huge gap in the community," said Emeigh.
Michael Murphy says he worked with David and Thomas at a plumbing company, describing them as hard workers.
"Both of them have kids, so obviously they had the ambition to come work and do everything they could for their family," he said.
Where was the train coming from?
According to Amtrak, there were 236 passengers and a crew on the train that departed from Boston and was destined for Richmond, Virginia. No one on board was injured.
Shauna Hailey was one of them heading home to Center City.
"All of a sudden, the train came to a staggering stop and you knew something was wrong," she recalled.
Hailey praised the train crew's response and watched as detectives investigated the scene as shown from Chopper 6.
"I think everyone on the train is just in shock as to this actually happened. You hear about these things happening, but you don't really expect to be on the train when it happens," said Hailey.
She says her biggest concern is the loved ones whose lives will be changed forever.
"This is not an easy thing. I feel horrible for the families involved, for the Amtrak employees... I do hope that the engineer, who is in charge of the train, gets all the help they may need,' she added.
Service on Amtrak and SEPTA's Trenton Line was suspended for hours before trains began moving late Thursday night.
Amtrak police are leading the investigation as officials continue to look into why the family was on the tracks.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or worried about a friend or loved one, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
