HANOVER COUNTY, Va. -- A train hit and killed an Atlee High School student Wednesday morning near the Cool Spring West subdivision and Atlee High School, according to officials.
The deceased is a 15-year-old boy, according to deputies with the Hanover County Sheriff's Office.
"At approximately 7:58 a.m., Hanover Emergency Communications received a call from Buckingham Branch Railroad advising a train had struck a pedestrian on the tracks just west of the Cool Spring Road crossing, and near the Cool Spring West subdivision. Hanover deputies along with Hanover Fire and EMS personnel responded to the area and located the victim, deceased," Hanover County Sheriff's spokesperson Sgt. Steve Wills wrote. "The events surrounding this devastating tragedy are currently still under investigation."
Atlee High School Principal Dr. John Wheeler sent an email to Atlee parents identifying the victim as 10th-grader Chris Asare-Budu.
"For those of you who knew Chris, we ask that you remember and celebrate his positivity, kindness, and his incredible ability to empower and lead others in their endeavors. As you know, Chris was always happy and viewed things with an optimistic outlook on life, and our school and community will forever be grateful for Chris’ legacy. For those of you who did not know him, we ask that you respect our sadness and support us with your understanding and patience as we navigate through this heartache.
"As we mourn the loss of Chris, we understand that your son or daughter may approach you with questions and experience a sense of loss. If your student needs support navigating through this difficult time, our school counselors are ready to provide assistance. To contact our school counseling office, please call 804-723-2117."
Neighbors in the Cool Spring West community told CBS 6 that students often cut through the woods and over the train tracks to reach nearby Atlee High School and Chickahominy Middle School.
"We have playgrounds over here and we have a path through the playgrounds, that a lot of kids use to walk to the high school," neighbor Susan Hart said. "The fence just ends and all you have to do is walk across the tracks.”
Neighbor Keri Hart says she's lived in the community for 8 years, and says the conversation she had to have with her five and 7-year-old children about safety was tough to have.
"She took it a little harder. She's 7. I don't think my little one got it as much but he still felt you know, 'Where'd he go and what happened.' And those conversations are really, really hard to have with any kid but especially little ones who don't quite comprehend the gravity of everything and how horrible it is," Hart said.
Officials with the Hanover Sheriff's Office, who said no additional identifying information about the victim would be released out of respect for his family's privacy, had this advice for families who live near the train tracks.
"Please use best practices and be aware of your surroundings. To look both ways. To listen closely. To be aware of railroad crossing tracks, but to really never cross over railroad tracks, unless you really have to with some kind of traffic control device," said Captain Terry Sullivan.
CBS6 reached out to CSX, who said the rail road tracks do not belong to them. They referred CBS6 to the Buckingham Branch Railroad company. The company is not commenting on the incident at this time.
CBS6 was able to confirm that a bus stop for Atlee Students in the neighborhood, where students are picked up at Seaycroft Drive.
No warning signs or "No Trespassing" signs were found near the train tracks.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
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