SYRACUSE — Christopher David Prater, 17, Syracuse, was struck and killed this morning by a train in northern Kosciusko County.

Kosciusko County Coroner Michael Wilson stated Prater was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by a westbound CSX freight train en route to Chicago. Wilson stated the incident is still under investigation at this time.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputies and emergency personnel responded this morning at 7:09 a.m. to a report of a train vs pedestrian along the CSX railroad tracks east of Syracuse. Deputies, along with officers from the Syracuse Police and Fire Departments, arrived at the location of Warner Road and Cornelius Road with railroad officials.

The Kosciusko County F.A.C.T. team was assisted at the scene by members of the Syracuse Police Department, Turkey Creek Township EMS and Fire Department, and the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.