FISHING CREEK TOWNSHIP -- A crash in Columbia County Friday morning leaves two children dead.
A mother and her three children from the Berwick area were involved in that deadly crash.
Two of the children were killed.
It happened before 9 a.m. near Orangeville, north of Bloomsburg.
A van and truck crashed on Route 487 in Fishing Creek Township.
The Columbia County coroner’s office says Abigail Haskell, 8, and her sister Charlotte, 3, died at the scene.
Their mother Amanda and another daughter, Allison, 5, survived and are in a hospital. All are from Berwick.
According to state police the white vehicle was heading north on Route 487 and the green minivan was heading south when the collision occurred.
Investigators believe that speed may have been a factor in the crash. State police say the mother, Amanda, crossed over the center line.
Trucker Shane Fritz didn't see the crash but had to park his rig because of the road being closed.
“I think it's terrible. I wish it never happened. Don’t know them, at least I hope not.”
Two deputy coroners were at the scene, and are having a hard time dealing with the death of two children.
“We do what we have to do and go home and think about it. Not good thoughts,” Ron Taylor.
“If it was my child I can't imagine what the mom and father are going through,” said deputy coroner Wendy Statskey.
Even experienced first responders were shaken.
“It bothers me, yes. And you have to look at it this way, it was the Lord's will to take the children and he has plans he wants them to do,” said emergency responder Wilson Lynn.
State police say the investigation continues into the crash.
Route 487 was closed for several hours. It has been reopened.
Officials have not said if the crash was weather related.