BU freshman found dead near commuter rail tracks

Officials are investgating a death on the commuter rail early Wednesday morning after aBoston Universitystudent was found near the tracks in Allston-Brighton.

The victim was identified as a 17-year-old BU freshman from China, who was found on the Worcester Line tracks, MBTA Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan said. His name has not yet been released.

A commuter rail train was stopped for nearly three hours early Wednesday morning after transit police received reports of a possible body lying on the tracks by Boston University, officials said.

Transit police received the call at about 12:15 a.m. and did find a body once on scene. Detectives said that the victim was trespassingon the right of way and struck by the train.

The man was pronounced dead and transit police detectives along with representatives of the Suffolk County DA’s office are currently investigating the incident.

According to WBZ-TV,passengers on the train were initially told there was a medical emergency.

“No real explanation and then finally the answer came back that there was something found on the side of the tracks, perhaps a dead body and detectives were called. It just escalated from there,” passenger Gary Barbin told WBZ-TV.

“The University’s thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family,” said Kenneth Elmore, associate provost and dean of students, according to BU Today.Elmore also said that counseling support is available for all students and urges anyone seeking help to reach out.