Police say coed killed by train ‘disoriented’

Newark Police Chief Gerald Conway (left) and UD Public Safety Director Lawrence Thornton

6:31 p.m., Sept. 13, 2004--Rachel Payne, an 18-year-old freshman from West Hartford, Conn., was fatally struck by a train on the CSX Railroad trestle near Cleveland Avenue and North Chapel Street early Sunday, Sept. 12, Newark Police said.

Newark Police Chief Gerald Conway said Payne is believed to have been disoriented and had made several phone calls to friends. In the last phone call, at about 2:40 a.m., she said she was lost, Conway said. She was last seen leaving an off-campus fraternity house party. She is believed to have been struck by a freight train at 3:25 a.m.

Payne was discovered by another train at 6:25 a.m. She was pronounced dead at the scene by New Castle County paramedics, Conway said.

The medical examiner ruled that the cause of death was massive head trauma and internal injuries. Conway said toxicology tests are being conducted to determine if alcohol was involved.

Lawrence Thornton, director of Public Safety at UD, expressed condolences to her family and friends. He also talked of steps UD had taken to educate students on safety when crossing railroad tracks.

Counseling has been made available for students who knew Ms. Payne. Students also have been encouraged to contact the counseling center at (302) 831-2141.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newark Police at (302) 366-7111.

Article by Martin Mbugua
Photo by Danielle Quigley

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