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May 05, 2023

Port Crane Teenager Dies After Being Hit By Train

A 17-year-old Broome County boy was killed when he was struck by a freight train

A 17-year-old Broome County boy was killed when he was struck by a freight train in the town of Fenton.

Authorities said Jakob McCloe was hit by the Norfolk Southern Railway train shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday as he walked along the railroad tracks near Crocker Hill Road.

According to the Broome County Sheriff's Office, McCloe was pronounced dead at the scene. The boy lived in Port Crane and was a student at Chenango Valley High School.

Detectives with the sheriff's office determined McCloe had been walking westbound on the tracks. He apparently had been wearing noise-canceling headphones and was not able to hear the approaching train.

According to a news release, the train's engineer tried to signal repeatedly to get the boy's attention but he still appeared to be unaware the train was approaching.

The engineer could not stop the train and McCloe was struck and killed at 8:53 a.m.

Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar said investigators determined the incident was "nothing more than a terrible accident."

In a statement in the news release, Akshar said there had been a thorough investigation of the scene where McCloe was struck. Detectives also conducted extensive interviews and reviewed the video camera recording from the train.

Chenango Valley High School principal Jennifer Ostrander said counselors and services will be available through the guidance office.

In a statement posted to the school district website, Ostrander said: "This is an incredibly difficult time for our community, and our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and loved ones of the student."

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: [email protected] or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.