[From the class of 09]

MADISON HEIGHTS --
A train surprised five Liberty University students who were stargazing from a railroad trestle in Madison Heights Thursday night, killing one and leaving another seriously injured.

Hannah Emmaline Williams, of Sanford, N.C., was fatally injured when the train struck her.

Julianne Ashbaugh, 18, of Temple, Ga., is being treated for critical injuries she received when falling from the trestle onto the ground, said Amherst County sheriff’s Lt. Greg Turner.

The 10:45 p.m. accident occurred on a train trestle that spans the James River near River Road in Madison Heights.

The five Liberty University students, all freshmen, had apparently walked onto the trestle to watch the stars, Turner said.

The Norfolk Southern train was headed north from Lynchburg, according to Gary Roakes, the Amherst County public safety director.

Two of the survivors jumped to a nearby piling to escape the train, and another hung below the tracks by his arms, Turner said.

Suffering minor injuries were Patrick Marshall, 18, of Yorktown; Javier David Duque, 19, of Arlington, Texas; and Kaitlyn Hermening, 18, of Mosinee, Wis.

http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2011/n ... r-1467732/

[PAmedic]

Absolutely horrible. So sad.

praying for those families

[jbock13]

There's so much I'd like to say, but I'll leave it at this.

Please, people, stay off train tracks.

[alabama24]

I agree jbock. What I think is despicable is some of the posts on the N&A. There is no reason to post hurtful comments when friends & family are grieving. There WILL be a good time to talk more honestly about this, but now is not the time.

[Sly Fox]

What a horrendous tragedy for the family of Hannah. Don't we have some posters from Sanford on here?

This will leave a huge impact on all those involved who witnessed it.

[jbock13]

I agree jbock. What I think is despicable is some of the posts on the N&A. There is no reason to post hurtful comments when friends & family are grieving. There WILL be a good time to talk more honestly about this, but now is not the time.

Yeah, they're just excited because it involves Liberty. Pretty despicable stuff.

[From the class of 09]

I agree jbock. What I think is despicable is some of the posts on the N&A. There is no reason to post hurtful comments when friends & family are grieving. There WILL be a good time to talk more honestly about this, but now is not the time.

Yeah, they're just excited because it involves Liberty. Pretty despicable stuff.

To be fair it's really only a handful of people who post the negative stuff. But some of them really need to grow up.

[4everfsu]

Can you say Mac Rivera? I believe I got his last name ok

[Kolzilla41]

Can you say Mac Rivera? I believe I got his last name ok

Who is that?

[jbock13]

I just now found out she sat across from me in one of my classes.

This is really difficult. I didn't know her personally, but she was always smiling, always beautiful. Having said that, I can tell you with full confidence she's in a much better place right now.

[Cider Jim]

Praying for the students and their families and friends.

[Sly Fox]

Liberty releases statement on student fatality

November 18, 2011 : Liberty University News Service


Liberty University students pray during Friday's convocation for families affected by the tragedy.

Liberty University has confirmed that a student, Hannah Emmaline Williams, 18, of Sanford, N.C., was killed Thursday night in an accident with an approaching train in Amherst County.

Four other students were involved in the accident. One remains in critical condition, and three sustained minor injuries.

This morning during a university-wide convocation, thousands of Liberty students gathered to pray for those affected by this tragedy.

Liberty University President and Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr. released this statement today:

“The Liberty University community is deeply saddened by this tragic accident.

Our students, faculty and staff are praying for the families of Hannah Williams and the students who were injured in the accident. Hannah recently transferred to Liberty and was one of the students who volunteered to travel to the northeast to help flood victims in that region earlier this semester. Hannah Williams made Liberty University proud in her short time as a student here. Her tragic death is a great loss, not only to her family, but to our university community as well.”

Click Here for Source

[BJWilliams]

Marlon Roman comes to mind as well I believe

[rogers3]

Can you say Mac Rivera? I believe I got his last name ok

I think Mac's girlfriend was killed, as well.

The speed on both trestles (Blackwater Crk, where Marlon was injured) and James R. is 25 mph/40mph, but at even a short distance, it is tough to make it to safety running on ties. I live a couple of blocks from the park and have heard plenty of emergency horn blasts from trains heading across the river; I always wonder if I'll see something in the news afterwards. Praying for the families involved.

[jbock13]

I'm trying to hold myself back but... its just so sad because this didn't need to happen. If you want to go look at the stars, go to candlers and look out away from the city.

It makes me sad. I never thought something like this could ever hit this close to me.

[4everfsu]

Can you say Mac Rivera? I believe I got his last name ok

I think Mac's girlfriend was killed, as well.

The speed on both trestles (Blackwater Crk, where Marlon was injured) and James R. is 25 mph/40mph, but at even a short distance, it is tough to make it to safety running on ties. I live a couple of blocks from the park and have heard plenty of emergency horn blasts from trains heading across the river; I always wonder if I'll see something in the news afterwards. Praying for the families involved.

Mac was a young black student from Jax Fl who played on LBC basketball team and his fiance were killed on the same bridge as this young student. They were killed on Feb 28 1976. At that time students were forbidden to be on the bridge according to students rule. His fiance froze on the bridge when the train was coming, Mac had started to run off the bridge but when back to be with her. She was killed instantly, Mac was knocked off and hit the water and was found on shore dead. That is the best I can remember. Mac was a super guy, always had a smile on his face.

[jmdickens]

What a horrendous tragedy for the family of Hannah. Don't we have some posters from Sanford on here?

This will leave a huge impact on all those involved who witnessed it.

Yes sir....i talked to Hannah's mom tonight, horrible for her. I was her mom's TA for my senior year of high school. i actually just got back from cville/lynchburg into Sanford.

Hannah was a beautiful person, She will be missed.

[BJWilliams]

I think the article from LU stated this but she was also part of the group of students that went up to NY to help with disaster relief after the massive flooding. Definitely pray for her family, as well as her dormmates

[TH Spangler]

My cousin works for Norfolk & Southern and was the one who dispatch that train .... he said that the NS employee are devastated as well.

[Cider Jim]

Here's a Facebook page dedicated to Julianne Ashbaugh, the girl who fell and is still in ICU:

[jmdickens]

Terry told me today that Lu students sent so many letters and fb messages and calls that truly comforted her about her loss.

Terry seemed as well as can be expected and told me that she is okay knowing that Hannah is with the Lord and would hate it for a mother that didnt have that kind of relationship with the Lord.

Praise God for that kind of peace.