Teen Struck By Train Identified As Burke Resident

(Updated 11:46 a.m.) BURKE, VA — A 13-year-old girl struck by a Virginia Railway Express Train Wednesday afternoon near Clifton has been identified as a Burke resident. Reyhan Safoglu was pronounced dead on the scene.

According to police, she was hiking with her 13-year-old cousin and 22-year-old brother when struck near Bull Run Bridge. Police say the younger boy was able to get out of the way, but Safoglu was not. She was a student at Lake Braddock Secondary School.

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Her aunt, Sibel Lorentz, started a A GoFundMe for her family. Lorentz's 13-year-old son Michael was hiking with Safoglu when she was killed. She said Safoglu played field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, cheerleading and sang in the world Children's Choir.

"She was 13 years old and had so much more to see in this world. She was the most loving and devoted daughter to my sister Emel and Oguz and sister to her brother Baris," wrote Lorentz on the page.

Fairfax County detectives continue to investigate and are working with Manassas Park Police, the victim's family, VRE and railroad officials.

Police remind residents to not walk near train tracks and cross only at designated pedestrian and vehicle crossings.

Stay with Patch for more updates.

Additional reporting by Patch Editor Skip Wood

Image of Reyhan Safoglu via GoFundMe. VRE image via Nick De Vinne/Wikimedia Commons