SANFORD, Fla. — Students at Markham Woods Middle School will return to class Monday morning for the first time since one of their classmates died.
Marcees Kilpatrick, 13, was fatally struck Friday evening by a SunRail train as he tried to cross the railroad tracks in Sanford’s Goldsboro neighborhood.
Monday, a grief team will be available, & will remain as long as necessary, to provide support & assistance to the students & staff of MKMS.
— Markham Woods MS (@MarkhamWoodsMS) May 20, 2017
"Our school has experienced the death of a student that has affected our school community deeply," the school tweeted. "We ask you to please keep the family and those who knew the student in your thoughts and prayers."
A team of grief counselors will be available Monday to faculty, staff members and students, the school said.
If your child or family needs assistance, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
— Markham Woods MS (@MarkhamWoodsMS) May 21, 2017
Residents who live nearby said they often see children crossing the tracks on their walk home from school.
“I've been seeing them ever since I've been here, and I've been here since ’57,” Ela Brooks said. “They've been cutting through there.”
The Florida Department of Transportation said in a statement Monday: "Safety is the Florida Department of Transportation’s top priority. FDOT has identified this area as a candidate for safety enhancements.
"Current measures include no trespassing signage. Proposed enhancements include installing fencing in an attempt to curtail cut-through foot traffic and trespassing on the mainline rail corridor. The proposed project is currently in the development stage. SunRail urges everyone to be careful around railroad tracks."
Cox Media Group
