Princeton High School student struck by Amtrak train

WEST WINDSOR — The person who was struck and killed by an Amtrak train during Thursday afternoon's commute was a Princeton High School student, authorities said.

A letter was sent to parents on Friday from Superintendent Steve Cochrane about the death of a sophomore. The news was shared with students during their first period.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with this young man's family and friends and with everyone affected by this loss," Cochrane wrote.

A separate letter sent by high school principal Gary Snyder echoed Cochrane's message.

Grief counselors were made available for both students and adults, according to the letter also posted on the district website.

The letter did not disclose the circumstances of the student's death or identify him.

Police confirmed that the student was the same person struck by an inbound train just north of the Princeton Junction station around 2:45 p.m. on Thursday.

Amtrak did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment Saturday morning. They are leading the investigation into the incident.

Amtrak said the Crescent train was headed from New Orleans to New York Penn Station

The incident caused long delays on the Northeast Corridor for both NJ Transit and Amtrak riders during Thursday afternoon's commute. Service was initially suspended in both directions for an hour between New Brunswick and Trenton.

A Notre Dame High School student was struck and killed by a train in the NJ Transit maintenance yard in Morrisville in March 2016.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com