A Jersey Shore family and community are mourning a 15-year-old boy who was struck and killed by a train over the weekend in Point Pleasant Beach.
Family members have identified the teen as Raul Cartagena. He celebrated his 15th birthday only a month ago on July 13. It was not immediately clear how the incident happened.
New Jersey Transit police say that the teen was killed around 4:30 p.m. Sunday. He was struck by a North Jersey Coastline train at the Forman Avenue crossing. Cartagena was rushed to the hospital but died from his injuries.
Friends and family created a memorial at the site Monday morning. They say that Cartagena was about to start high school and was expected to be on the wrestling team.
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GoFundMe page created for funeral expenses describes the teen as a “shining light in our family of friends and he always had a smile on his face and knew how to put one on ours even in our darkest of days.”
That GoFundMe has already exceeded its goal.
The superintendent of the Point Pleasant Borough School District issued a statement that read, “With great sadness, our school district community grieves the loss of a high school student who grew up in Point Pleasant Schools. The student passed away in a tragic accident yesterday. During this difficult time, our thoughts are with his family, friends, and our entire community.”
Counseling services will be made available for students and staff.
The cause of the incident is under investigation. No other injuries were reported.