District offers counseling services to students in wake of teen’s death
The South Fayette School District is offering counseling to students following the death of a 15-year-old student who was struck by a train on Wednesday.
The school district offered its condolences to the family of Julianna Gennaro, of the Morgan section of South Fayette, through a statement posted on the district website and said counseling is available for students.
“With heavy hearts, we know that this loss will raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire community, especially our students and staff,” said school district superintendent Kenneth Lockette.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to help you and your child or children through this difficult time,” he added.
Mr. Lockette said that as part of the district’s Crisis Intervention Team, counselors are available on campus and additional trained professionals are available to receive phone calls and emails to arrange counseling services.
Allegheny County police said Julianna was with four other teenagers — two girls and two boys — when the incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. near Miller’s Run Road on a bridge that carries rail traffic over Wabash Avenue.
Police said one of the teens on the bridge laid down on the tracks under a passing train and survived unharmed, Pittsburgh PostGazette news partner
KDKA-TV reported.
Another teen, a 17-year-old girl, jumped out of the way and hung onto the side of the bridge, according to police. They said the girl was pulled to safety by a nearby construction worker doing some paving work, police told KDKA. She was taken to the hospital with a leg injury and is expected to survive.
It’s unclear how Julianna was struck by the train.
Parents or guardians interested in arranging counseling services for children can contact Amy Brooks at 412-221-4542.