High School Student Killed By Train In San Lorenzo

SAN LORENZO (CBS SF) -- A junior at KIPP King Collegiate High School was fatally struck by a Union Pacific train in the San Lorenzo area of unincorporated Alameda County Wednesday morning, authorities said.

The pedestrian strike was reported at 8:06 a.m. in the vicinity of Grant and Railroad avenues, according to Aisha Knowles, a spokeswoman for the Alameda County Fire Department. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Alameda County sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Ray Kelly.

The school is located nearby at 2005 Via Barrett. A tearful KIPP King Collegiate Principal Kelly Lara confirmed it was a student to reporters on the scene. "He will be incredibly missed. We are all incredibly heartbroken."

He was in the 11th grade, according to school officials. The Alameda County coroner's bureau was not yet releasing the victim's name.

A Union Pacific official told KPIX 5 the teen was either walking or riding a bicycle along the tracks and was struck on a bridge over San Lorenzo creek where pedestrians are not allowed.

"Parents, talk to your kids. Let's not have your kids traverse along the railroad tracks," said Kelly. "There's so many reasons why. One, is the trains."

The train's engineer and conductor have been "put in touch" with peer counselors, according to Union Pacific spokesman Justin Jacobs.

"The safety message here is that pedestrians, and everyone, need to be very aware of the hazards associated with trains and should never be on the train tracks or attempt to cross anywhere other than at a designated crossing when signs and signals permit," Jacobs said in a statement.

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