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Wellsville teen killed by train

EAST PALESTINE — Village police on Wednesday said the boy struck and killed by a train Tuesday night was from Wellsville but had been staying with relatives in town for the past several days.

The boy was identified as Ethan Ferguson, 16, of Wellsville.

Police Chief Jim Brown III said in a press release the department is continuing to investigate the death, which they believe to be accidental.

East Palestine police, fire and EMS were notified around 6:07 p.m. Tuesday an eastbound Norfolk and Southern train had struck a pedestrian in the area between the North Pleasant Drive and James Street crossings.

Ferguson was found to be deceased upon police arrival and the county coroner’s office was notified, the release stated.

East Palestine School District Superintendent Traci Hostetler said Ferguson had just been registered to attend the district this week and was scheduled to begin classes at the high school on Wednesday.

Both secular and religious counselors were made available to students at the high school all day Wednesday in response to the accident.

“It’s so tragic when someone so young is taken from us. We wanted to make sure our kids had support available if they needed it. We are so grateful for the area counselors and pastors that came to offer our kids support and comfort,” she said.

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