Franklin student in critical condition after hit by train

A child was hit by a train in Franklin Monday evening.

Joe LePage

10:41 p.m. EST, March 6, 2012

Franklin, Ind.

A Franklin middle school student remains in critical condition after being hit by a train Monday evening.

Police said Jason Andrews, 15, was hit on the tracks just south of Monroe Street at approximately 5 p.m.

Sarah Carroll has lived by the tracks in Franklin for more than 30 years. She has gotten used to the noise.

"But yesterday there was just a sound, a different sound that was different than any other day," said Carroll.

The sound Carroll heard was the train screeching to a stop.

"After the train had completely stopped, then we heard the sirens, so I knew something had happened," said Carroll.

"There were cop cars everywhere,” said Franklin Student Jake McGee. “There were people congregating just behind the train."

Witnesses said they heard the horn and then heard the screeching wheels along the railroad ties. Andrews did not get off the tracks in time. Was he distracted? Was he wearing headphones that blocked out the noise of the train as it was heading down the track?

Franklin Police said Andrews was listening to his iPod as the train approached. It was not until the train was three feet away that Andrews jumped out of its path.

"We are very saddened,” said Millikan. “This is a very sad thing to hit our school and our students, and this young man, and his family."

Franklin Middle School Principal Pam Millikan said Andrews is your typical 8th-grader.

"He likes to hang out with his friends, he likes to talk with his friends, he likes to listen to music,” said Millikan. “Everything you would think of a typical kid, that is who Jason is."

Millikan said class continues in Andrews absence. Counselors are on standby in case students need to talk. Some students are making get well posters with a patriotic theme. Jason Andrews’ dream is to become a marine.

"And they want me to deliver these and that is their way of reaching out because they are hurting, because their friend is hurt," said Millikan.

At this point, Millikan is telling the student body to think positive, as Andrews' body heals.

"We just say one day at a time as he improves and we told them we will just focus on the positive,” said Millikan. “He is going to get better."

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