Teen struck, killed by Iron Range train

AURORA, Minn. (AP) — A ninth-grader walking to school is dead after he was struck by an iron ore train in Aurora in northeastern Minnesota.

The St. Louis County sheriff's office says 15-year-old Cole Packa was trying to cross the railroad tracks when he was struck about 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Packa attended Mesabi East High School. He died at the scene.

Railroad officials say the train was empty at the time.

WDIO-TV (http://bit.ly/K7xkgi) reports the school has brought in clergy and counselors to help students.

Sheriff's Lt. Edward Kippley says authorities are investigating why the boy got in front of the train.

It was the second fatal train accident in Aurora in about a month. In April, 64-year-old Lynn Lewis Nagy was killed when he rode his bike into a train.

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Information from: WDIO-TV, http://www.wdio.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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