Five central Illinois residents in their 70s and 80s returning from an ice cream social died after a train struck the van they were riding in Wednesday evening, authorities said.

Three of the occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Illinois State Police. The other two were transported to St. Louis area hospitals, where they later died from their injuries.

State police identified the victims as Herbert J. Castle, Mary M. Pugsley, John A. Castle, Nell R. Castle, and Mary H. Castle, all of Pana, Illinois. They were between 77 and 89 years old. Herbert and John were brothers and Mary Castle and Nell were their wives; Mary Pugsley was a family friend, officials said.

Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp said Deputy Tyler Castle was one of the first officers to arrive on scene. He stepped out of a squad car, Kettelkamp said, and then saw his grandparents’ silver van. He was told to leave the scene.

“It’s so sad,” Kettelkamp said. “It’s devastating to him, and the whole sheriff’s department because we’re a family. He lost his grandparents, great aunt, great uncle, and a family friend all at once.”

State police said the van, a silver 2009 Chrysler Town & Country, was traveling southbound on a county road when it failed to yield the right of way to a westbound train running parallel to Route 16. The front of the train hit the driver’s side of the van at about 6:49 p.m.

Kettelkamp said the five were headed back to Pana after leaving an ice cream social at a church in rural Nokomis. There were no crossing gates or lights where the crash happened.

“This is the first time something happened there,” Kettelkamp said of the crossing. “Any rural crossing without gates or lights is a danger. Any time you come to a railroad intersection, stop and listen, and look both ways before crossing.”

State Trooper Sean Ramsey said the crash is still under investigation by an accident reconstruction officer.

The sudden loss of five residents was a shocking loss to the community, Kettelkamp said.

“For Pana to lose five people, it’s sad for the Pana community and Christian County,” he said. “They were all well-known and great people. I enjoyed talking with them so much. They were very generous people and they’re really going to be missed.”

“Keep your thoughts and prayers on law enforcement and the rest of the community,” Kettelkamp added. “This is one of the hardest things an officer can do.”

Polanski writes for the Shelbyville (Illinois) Daily Union.