SALT LAKE CITY -- The horn from a train is a deafening sound that rings in the hearts of Ofa Kinikini's loved ones.
“Someone like Ofa with so much life you can't ever imagine her lifeless. So when we saw her lifeless that wasn't her, that wasn't my sister,” said Masina Tuifua, Ofa's sister.
Monday night Ofa, who family says was nearing the end of her pregnancy, was in the passenger seat of an SUV when it was involved in a crash with a FrontRunner train at 600 West and 900 South.
“I was just in shock when I got the news last night. It didn't really hit me until I walked into the room and seen her,” said Lupe Toao, Ofa’s niece.
Police say the car was dragged about 50 feet down the train line after being hit. Medical crews performed an emergency C-section and were able to save her baby.
Ofa leaves behind six kids, seven including her newborn.
The newborn that is now fighting for her life is named after her mother. The family says Ofa means love in English. That's what she brought into the life of those who knew her.
“She was very loving and forgiving towards everyone,” Toao said.
“Losing my sister is a tragedy. She can never be replaced but out of it she brought an angel that we'll be watching over with her other six kids,” Tuifua said.
The family says there are still a lot of unanswered questions. They say the driver is now in recovery. Police are investigating why they were on the tracks. A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help the family with funeral costs.
