PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia police have identified the 15-year-old boy who was struck and killed by a freight train in Northeast Philadelphia late Monday night.
Officials said Abdusalom Babaev of Bustleton had been missing for a couple days. He lived on Neil Road, just blocks from where the accident took place. Around 11:30 p.m., police said Babaev was walking on the tracks that go over Grant Avenue, near Welsh Road, when he was hit by a freight train.
Investigators said the CSX train was traveling northbound at normal speeds when the 55-year-old train operator saw the teen walking southbound on the tracks. The conductor immediately pulled the emergency brake but was unable to stop before hitting him, police said.
Babaev was pronounced dead about 15 minutes later. He had been entered into the National Crime Information Center database as a missing person on Sunday.
Welsh Road was blocked off for hours as police investigated. The scene has since been cleared and Welsh Road was open for the morning rush.
Police do not believe this was a suicide.
In a statement, CSX said it “extends its deepest sympathies to everyone impacted by this tragic incident and will support local law enforcement as they complete the investigation.”
An investigation is ongoing.
Abdusalom Babaev had been missing since Sunday, police say
Abdusalom Babaev had been missing since Sunday, police say
