State police have not released details about an all-terrain vehicle accident Monday that killed a 4-year-old girl and injured three others at a railroad crossing in rural Somerset County.

Tailynn Felker was pronounced dead at Conemaugh Meyersdale Medical Center from multiple blunt-force injuries she suffered when the ATV rolled over about 5 p.m. in Summit Township.

The accident occurred along Scratch Hill Road, about 2 miles northeast of Meyersdale. A 14-year-old girl was driving the 2014 Polaris 500 with four children as passengers when it overturned at a CSX railroad crossing, according to state police at Somerset.

Felker was thrown off the vehicle when it rolled over, police said in a news release.

Residents near the accident scene said the children — they include a 1-year-old toddler and two girls, ages 3 and 9 — are related.

None of the five children was wearing a helmet or seat belt, police said.

All of the victims were taken to the medical facility by private vehicles, police said.

State police Tuesday did not release the victims' names or further information about the circumstances because the crash remains under investigation.

Charlie Cochran, who lives along Scratch Hill Road, near the railroad crossing, said he went outside after he heard “a commotion” on the stretch where the quiet is usually disturbed only by the sound of passing trains. Cochran said he saw an ATV overturned and private vehicles around it.

“The emergency vehicles weren't there yet. There was a private vehicle parked in there, and I heard a woman screaming. ... I really did not want to get further involved because of all the commotion,” he said.

Cochran said ATVs are prohibited from traveling on the Great Allegheny Passage bike and walking trail that runs close to the CSX tracks and crosses over Scratch Hill Road via a bridge.

“Really, I don't hear too many (ATVs) coming through though,” Cochran said.

“I didn't hear until the news (Tuesday) morning that someone had died. It's really sad,” he said.

Felker's family lives less than one-half mile from the accident scene.

A woman who answered the door at the tidy, split-entry residence that was decorated for Halloween declined to comment. Seven freshly carved pumpkins sat on the front porch, and homemade ghosts and Frankenstein posters lined the driveway leading to the home along the rural, winding road.

“The family has no comment. The family can use your prayers right now. ... Remember to hug your children,” said the woman, who declined to identify herself.

According to Christina Novak, press secretary for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, state law prohibits a child younger than 16 from operating an all-terrain vehicle or snowmobile anywhere other than on land owned or leased by a parent or guardian, unless the child has a valid safety certificate or is under the direct supervision of a certified instructor during a certified safety training course.

The agency is in charge of registering all-terrain vehicles.

Novak noted state law prohibits anyone younger than 16 from operating an ATV across highways or connecting streets or on state park or state forest roads designated for joint use of both motor vehicles and ATVs unless the child has a valid safety certificate and is under the direct supervision of a person 18 or older.

The DCNR website states that operators could face fines for riding without a helmet.

The M. Ray Leckemby Funeral Home in Meyersdale is in charge of arrangements for Tailynn.

Paul Peirce is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-850-2860 or ppeirce@tribweb.com.

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