Teenage boy struck and killed by passenger train in South Surrey well known, principal says
'This student was connected very largely to the community. Not just at our school'
Surrey RCMP say a teenage boy was struck and killed by an Amtrak passenger train in the Crescent Beach area of the city on Wednesday night.
The accident took place at 10:03 p.m. PT, police said. There were multiple witnesses present, and there was a large gathering of people on the beach at the time.
The boy had just finished Grade 9 at Elgin Park Secondary School in South Surrey according to school staff and friends.
"Some of the students are having a very tough time," school principal Jeff Johnstone said.
"This student was connected very largely to the community. Not just at our school but the whole Ocean Park, South Surrey area."
Johnstone said many Elgin Park students are becoming aware of the boy's death and supports are being set up for them. He says district counsellors will be made available.
Most of the boy's friends were too distraught to talk Thursday. Those who were willing to speak struggled to find the right words.
"Great guy. Helped a lot of people. Just a genuine person," said one student, Cole Dietrich.
Police said Thursday morning that the investigation is in its very early stages.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Surrey General Investigation Unit at 604-599-0502 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, quoting Surrey file number 2018-96971.
With files from Jesse Johnston