15-Year-Old Girl Killed, 17-Year-Old Injured After South Fayette Train Accident
SOUTH FAYETTE, Pa. (KDKA) - One teen is dead and another is injured after a train accident in South Fayette.
First responders and a county homicide vehicle were on scene near Wabash Avenue and Millers Run Road after reports of a person being struck by a train. Southbridge EMS and South Fayette Township police also responded.
Police had an area in the grass taped off.
Police say the teens were walking along the elevated tracks heading in the direction of Bridgeville. All of them were students in the South Fayette Township School District.
Then a westward-bound train came along.
A 15-year-old girl was hit and killed by the train, police said. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner identified her as Julianna Gennaro. Her cause of death was blunt impact injuries to the head and torso, and the manner was an accident.
A 17-year-old girl reportedly jumped out of the way and hung onto the side of the bridge, according to police. They say the girl was pulled to safety by a nearby construction worker doing some paving work.
"I got onto the railroad tracks. There was another boy standing there holding onto his friend for dear life. He couldn't pull her up by himself so I reached for her hand, picked her up off the side of the railroad track," said Flak.
Police said the 17-year-old was taken to the hospital with a leg injury.
Police also said the third person who was on the bridge laid down on the tracks as the train rolled over and remarkably survived unharmed.
The train was operated by Wheeling and Lake Erie Railroad. The operator stopped the train in nearby Cecil Township and was interviewed by investigators, officials said. The railroad company did not immediately return KDKA's request for comment.
The South Fayette Township School District has made counseling services available for any students touched by this incident.
The school's full statement below:
"It is with tremendous sadness that we have been informed of a recent loss to our school community. On Wednesday, June 24, 2020, we became aware of a student fatality. With heavy hearts, we know that this loss will raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire community, especially our students and staff.
"The South Fayette Township School District has a Crisis Intervention Team made up of professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents/guardians, and community members at difficult times such as this. On our campus, we have counselors available for any student who may need or want help or any type of assistance surrounding this loss. These trained professionals will be available to receive phone calls and emails for the purposes of arranging counseling services. Please contact 412-221-4542 x428 or email Amy Brooks at ajbrooks@southfayette.org in order to be connected to the appropriate resource. Should you need assistance outside of the District hours of 7:15 AM - 4:00 PM (Monday through Thursday), please contact Resolve Crisis Network at 1-888-796-8226 (24 Hour Service). More information can also be found at their website: www.upmc.com/resolvecrisis
Please use the following link for additional information that may be useful to you in helping access counseling resources for your child or children at home.
We are deeply saddened by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to help you and your child or children through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family."
