Carlow University Student Dies In 'Train Hopping' Incident

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SOUTH SIDE FLATS (KDKA) -- A Carlow University student was killed Sunday, after being dragged under a train on Pittsburgh's South Side.

According to Pittsburgh Police, she and a young man were "train hopping" around 2:30 a.m. when they fell onto the tracks.

Lindsey Michaels, 21, was just beginning her junior year at Carlow University.

"That's just awful. Tragic, tragic loss in that sense. So young," said Karen Arendt of Mars, whose daughter is a sophomore at Carlow University.

"She was really smart. She was always in the library studying. So, when I heard about that last night, that was so sad. It was crazy," said Pryncess Johnson, a junior at Carlow who had classes with Michaels.

Officials said Michaels was dragged underneath the train and killed. The young man survived, hurting only his ankle.

"I'm really praying for her and her family and everything. The guy that was with her and everything," Johnson said.

Norfolk Southern issued a statement that reads in part, "The train, transporting 130 cars loaded with coal, was traveling at about 3 to 4 mph through this area and then began to pick up speed. The train crew did not see anyone trying to jump on the train and was not aware that anyone might have been struck."

"You try. You do the best you can for your kids and you hope that they're going to make good decisions but they don't always have good judgment," Arendt said.

Trespassing on private railroad property is illegal. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, on average, two people are killed or injured while trespassing on railroad property every day in the United States.

In this case, there is no word as to whether the young man will face any charges. There is also no word as to whether alcohol played a role.