Heroic teen saves lover's life seconds before he was killed by freight train on way to high school dance

CALIFORNIA: A smitten 16-year-old on the way to a high school dance with his lover was hit and killed by a freight train seconds after saving her life by pushing her out of the way.

On Saturday night Mateus Moore and his girlfriend Mickayla Friend, also 16, took a shortcut across the tracks towards a shop in Marysville, northern California.

But they had their backs to a freight train which came zooming from behind and started honking its horn.

Heroic Mateus used his final moments to push lover Mickayla out of the way of the oncoming carriage.

Although the pair were both struck by the train, it was Mateus who took the full force of the collision and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mickayla however, was taken to hospital where she was sedated, but American media claim family say they are confident she will pull through.

The horrific incident took place near a children's baseball game and was witnessed by shocked youngsters and families.

Eric Stark, 11, told News10: "I heard the train it was honking a lot. Right when they turned around it was too late.

"The guy pushed the girl out the way but she still got hit by the train and it sucked him in and run him over."

His father Shawn added: "If he hadn't have pushed her, most definitely she would have been under the train."

Alithya Friend, Mickayla's sister, said: "He was amazing he loved her more than anyone - it's just a life cut short and it's not fair."

Marysville police chief David Baker said: "Sometimes these trains, when you are directly in front of them, can sneak up on you."

-Mirror