A blind student has died following an accident involving a train in Michigan.
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The incident occurred on Saturday 12 at around 6 PM near the tracks by 10th Street. Jennifer Kasunick, a blind student at Michigan's Hope College, was hit by a train at a crossing. According to the Daily Mail, Holland Police say Kasunick was out walking with her support dog, Rowdy. She stopped just west of the train tracks but likely didn't know how close she was to a passing train.
Police confirm Kasunick was struck by the train as it went past. She was found "unconscious and not breathing." Emergency services tried to resuscitate her, but she was pronounced dead at Holland Hospital shortly after. Rowdy, the support dog, survived the incident. A report by MLive also clarifies that no drugs or alcohol are thought to have contributed to the tragedy.
The Community Is Grieving After The Train Accident
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Hope College's dean of students, Becky Starkenburg, described the impact of the accident on pupils at the campus.
"The whole college is brokenhearted about Jennifer Kasunick's passing. A thousand students came together, prayed together, grieved together. We're a Christian college, so we look to Jesus, but we're also grieving. At this time, it's just a shock to our community."
Starkenburg also explained there are resources in place for students who are processing the loss. "It's incredibly sad. It hits hard. We've got counselors on campus and campus pastors who are helping walk through this with our students."
Since the tragedy, tributes have been "pouring in" around the campus. Starkenburg says the theater company in the school is asking students to share memories to create a book for Kasunick's family.
According to MLive, Kasunick was also a resident at Phelps Hall. They posted a heartfelt message on their Instagram page:
'Jennifer will be deeply missed on our staff and in the Phelps Pham community. She had a way of lighting up any room she entered, always with a smile on her face. Her joy and love touched everyone around her, and her impact will never be forgotten. As we grieve together, we find comfort in knowing that to know her was truly to love her.
