The death of a 13-year-old boy who was fatally struck by a GO train on Wednesday afternoon in Mississauga is “an important and sobering reminder of the importance of rail safety and how dangerous trains are,” transit officials say.

Metrolinx, the provincial agency that oversees GO Transit, said in a statement that “as with all serious incidents, there will be a full investigation” into the circumstances surrounding the death of the teen, who police say was riding a motorized bike with a friend when he was struck and killed by the westbound train in Mississauga’s south end at around 2:45 p.m.

The provincial transit agency said the incident happened at a grade crossing on the Lakeshore West line between Long Branch GO and Port Credit GO stations.

“This is a tragic incident, and our condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the person who was struck,” Metrolinx said in its statement. “Our first priority is the safety of the public and our staff. We are thankful to all first responders for their quick and diligent work at the scene.

“As with all serious incidents,” the statement continued, “there will be a full investigation. While the details of the incident are still under investigation by Peel Regional Police, this is an important and sobering reminder of the importance of rail safety and how dangerous trains are. With more trains and more people moving across our region every day, staying aware at rail crossings is essential. For drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, paying attention to your surroundings and knowing the signs will help keep you safe.”

Image shows area where roads were closed by police after a 13-year-old boy was struck and killed by a GO train on Wednesday afternoon.

Peel Regional Police Const. Tyler Bell-Morena told reporters at the scene near Alexandra Avenue and Fourth Street on Wednesday evening “this is an absolutely horrible situation for the family involved.”

In an email to INsauga.com, Bell-Morena said the young boy and a friend “were riding motorized bikes in the area. The preliminary information suggests the boy that was struck went around the railway crossing barrier and was struck by a westbound train. Sadly, he died on scene.”

Ontario Premier Doug Ford took to social media on Thursday morning to offer condolences to the family of the teen.

“I was very sad to hear of the death of the boy who was struck by a train yesterday in Mississauga. My sincere condolences go out to his family and loved ones,” the Premier wrote in a post to X.

Wednesday’s fatality marks the second time a child has been hit and killed by a GO train in Mississauga in the last four years.

Mitchell Nwabuoku, 4, died after being struck by a train that was heading west from the Dixie GO station on July 26, 2022.

The young girl was playing and chasing a butterfly on the grounds of an apartment building where her cousins lived when she followed a footpath that led to the tracks where people crossed as a shortcut to Dundas Street.

Fencing has since been erected at that location.


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