Fund Established to Defray Expenses for Funeral of Train Burn Victim

The family of the budding actor and model who died after being severely burned atop a commuter train has started a fund to help defray funeral and medical expenses.

Posted on the Facebook page of Brian McClellen, the family announced the creation of the fund with online service gofundme.com. As of Wednesday morning, the fund has received $1,325 of the $8,000 goal.

McClellen, a native of the Cleveland, OH suburb of North Royalton who moved to New York City to pursue an acting and modeling career, died Monday in the burn unit of Westchester County Medical Center where he was admitted Sunday morning after he was found ablaze on top of a Metro-North railroad train that was stopped at the Riverside station in Greenwich. A train crew investigating the sudden loss of power to the train found the 21-year-old McClellen engulfed in flames on top of the train.

While the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police continues its investigation in to how and why McClellen was on top of the train, it is believed he came in contact with the pantograph that’s connected to the catenary wires that provide 12,500 volts of electricity to power trains. On Tuesday, the railroad said police do not believe he was train-surfing as part of a stunt as some news outlets had reported.

Here is what McClellen’s family posted on the gofundme.com website:

“In loving memory of Brian McClellen
02/09/1993 - 11/10/2014

Our bright, loving, and beautiful boy, Brian McClellen, left this earth suddenly on Monday, November 10, 2014. Brian passed from electric shock and suffered severe burns after a train accident early in the morning hours on November 9, 2014.

Brian grew up in North Royalton, Ohio but soon after his high school graduation he left for New York City bound and determined to live his dream of becoming a model and actor. We are so very proud he was able to accomplish his dreams.

Brian was the son of Karen Paul (nee: Kmitt) and John McClellen (deceased), brother of Jennie Holland (nee: Paul) (Craig), uncle to Lexia and Bryce, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to many and to all that ever crossed his path.

In lieu of flowers or other tributes, the family asks that you contribute to this fund to assist in his final medical and funeral expenses.

In honor of Brian, we should all be seekers of our dreams and live each day to the fullest.”

Photo: Brian McClellen via gofundme.com

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