Lindsey Marie Michaels, a college student, reportedly was killed while "train hopping" in Pittsburgh.
The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday morning when a male and female had been train hopping and the woman was dragged under a train and died at the scene, according to a city government statement. The man suffered an ankle injury.
Michaels' mother confirmed the death to WTAE-TV, saying that the 21-year-old junior from Carlow University was with her boyfriend when the incident occurred.
Carlow University released a statement upon hearing about Michaels' death in which it extended its "deepest sympathy" to her friends and family.
"We mourn her loss," the school said, adding that "our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones."
Norfolk Southern released a statement to CBS News explaining that a 130-car train loaded with coal had been traveling through the area at around 3 to 4 mph at the time of the incident. The company said it could not conclusively determine that the coal train was involved in the death of Michaels, adding that members of the train crew had not seen anyone attempting to jump the train.
Michaels' mother told WTAE-TV that Michaels and her boyfriend had been drinking that day but added they were not "big drinkers" and that her daughter was "a good kid" who was on the Dean's list at Carlow University.
According to the Federal Railroad Administration, 94 percent of all rail-related fatalities and injuries occur due to trespassing.
"Nationally, more than 400 trespass fatalities occur each year, the vast majority of which are preventable," the administration said on its website. "Railroad crossing incidents are the second leading cause of rail-related deaths in America."
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