Horrific moment tourist is killed by a vintage steam train when she stood too close to the track for a selfie

A woman was killed in horrific circumstances when she was hit by a vintage steam train when it arrived in a small town en route from Canada.

The unnamed victim was standing up on a small hill, posing for a selfie, when she was struck by a locomotive known as  The Empress, on June 4.

The young woman, 25, is surrounded by other enthusiastic people welcoming the train but unfortunately, she gets a step closer than the rest, resulting in the accident. It happened in the town of Nopala de Villagran, 60 miles northwest of Mexico City.

It appears that the woman was hit by one of the train's pistons. After being struck, a man holds her lifeless body. According to reports in Mexico, the woman died instantly. 

Local reports also say that the woman was with a young child at the time. Moments before being struck, she told the child to stay low and away from the train. That child was not injured in the accident. 

The woman set herself up for the selfie by kneeling close to the train

The massive train is seen looming over the woman moments before hitting her

Just prior to the woman being struck, a voice can be heard warning people to stay far away from the train. 

The authorities reminded residents that they should stand at least 33 feet from the tracks and should never try to climb on any railway equipment or infrastructure for better views. 

The video ends with others calling for an ambulance. The train continued on its journey to Mexico City. 

The Canadian Pacific 2816 aka The Empress was built in Montreal in December 1930 and is the one of its type, a H1b 4-6-4 Hudson type steam locomotive that still survives in tact. 

Until this past Spring, the train had been out of commission since 2012. The train began its Final Spike Steam Tour in Calgary in April, it ends on June 7 in Mexico City. 

The operators of the train, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, told DailyMail.com in a statement:

'We regret to share that a woman was fatally injured while standing foul of a passing train soon after it departed a station in the municipality of Nopala de Villagrán, Hidalgo on Tuesday. This tragic incident is under investigation.

We are deeply saddened by this loss of life and wish to express our condolences to the woman’s family and loved ones.

For their own safety and that of the crews, all spectators looking at any train must always remain at least 10 meters back from the train and the tracks. Spectators must never stand on railway tracks, try to board rail equipment or climb on rail infrastructure. Always use caution around tracks and trains.'