2 College Students Killed In Train Derailment
ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (WJZ) -- Two college students were killed in the train derailment early Tuesday morning.
Rochelle Ritchie has more on the final moments of Elizabeth Nass and Rose Mayr, both 19.
The last few moments of their lives were documented on Twitter and according to one of their Tweets, they were drinking just moments before they were killed.
Elizabeth Nass and Rose Mayr were best friends. Their bodies were found in the tangled cars of a train that derailed.
"It's devastating," said their former high school principal, Scott Ruehl.
Elizabeth Nass was set to start her second year at James Madison University in Virginia. It's also on her Twitter page that WJZ first learned of what the girls were doing before they were killed. Just before midnight, Nass Tweeted, "Drinking on top of the Ellicott City sign with @rose_petals."
It was at the same time Mayr posted a picture of the barefoot girls with their legs dangling over the bridge. The caption of the photo was "levitating."
Investigators say for unknown reasons, the train derailed. The coal it was carrying spilled, burying the girls alive.
The exuberant friends shared classes together at Mount Hebron High School. The principal called them bright and energetic.
"Highly involved in the dance program here. Great families that were involved," Ruehl said.
The girls' night of drinking and picture-taking continued as a train carrying cars of coals sped their way.
"It's sad to start the school year off with such tragic news," Ruehl said.
Mount Hebron High School starts Monday. One of the girls' brothers is a senior at the school.
"The great thing I know is the Mount Hebron community will rally around to support these families and to support the students and siblings," said Ruehl.
Ruehl says friends of the victims still attend the school. He says counselors will be on hand.
Late Tuesday evening, friends gathered at Mount Hebron to light candles and share memories of the two girls.