Members of the Shafter community stood near where a Shafter High School student was hit by a train to honor them as they recover from their injuries, and advocated for change along the railway.
- Shafter High School Principal Russell Shipley confirmed to 23ABC that it was a student who was hit by a train on Thursday, but said the school would not be releasing the name of the student out of respect for the family. Shipley added that the school was notified that the student made it through surgery and was in critical but stable condition.
- On Friday, 23ABC met Suzette Gama, a parent of a student in Shafter, who knew the teen who was hit. She said the situation was frustrating because, in her mind, without change, it could happen again.
- During the demonstration, Jesus Sanchez, a friend of the student, said he was in disbelief when he heard the news and fully expected to see the teen later that afternoon. Now, a day later, Sanchez said he hopes his friend has a speedy recovery and hopes the demonstration they put on starts the conversation surrounding change at the railroad crossing.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT: Members of the Shafter Community and friends of the Shafter High Schooler who was hit by a train came together to not only rally around them, but advocate for change
The teen was hit by an Amtrak train Thursday afternoon at the rail crossing near Central Avenue and Central Valley Highway, also known as Highway 43.
Shafter High School Principal Russell Shipley confirmed a Shafter High School student was hit by a train, but said they do not plan to release the identity of the student out of respect for the family…