WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 7 A.M. — A student at Palo Alto High School was killed by a Caltrain yesterday at the Churchill Avenue crossing, Principal Brent Kline said in a mass email to parents and others.
“Our hearts go out to the student’s family, friends, and all who knew them,” Kline said. “In times of such heartbreaking loss, it is important that we come together as a community to support one another.”
The strike was reported at 8:45 a.m. Palo Alto police and firefighters arrived and confirmed the person had died before handing the case over to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, which provides policing for Caltrain.
Caltrain sent out automated messages saying there is police activity on the tracks for an “unknown cause.”
Caltrain no longer provides information about when someone dies on the train tracks in an effort to stop copycat suicides. As a result, it’s unclear how many people have died on the tracks this year or last year.
The city of Palo Alto has a set of cameras and thermal sensors that alert police when someone goes on the tracks, but the city won’t provide information about how well they work.
The person who died yesterday hasn’t been identified, the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office said yesterday at 4 p.m.
The following is the message from Principal Kline:
Dear Palo Alto Community,
It is with profound sadness that we must inform you of a tragic loss within our school family. We have received confirmation that this morning’s incident at the Churchill and Alma Street Caltrain crossing resulted in the death of a Palo Alto High School student.
Our hearts go out to the student’s family, friends, and all who knew them. In times of such heartbreaking loss, it is important that we come together as a community to support one another.
We have immediately activated our Crisis Response Team. Mental health professionals, counselors and support staff will be available throughout the coming days to provide assistance to students and staff who are processing this news. We are also working with community partners to ensure additional resources are available for those in need.
As this incident involves multiple agencies, we have limited additional information at this time. If you notice your child experiencing difficulty with this news, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our counseling department.
With deepest sympathy,
Brent Kline, Principal
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 9:51 A.M. — A Caltrain struck and killed a person at 8:45 this morning (March 4) at the Churchill Avenue crossing in Palo Alto, said police Capt. James Reifschneider.
Palo Alto police and firefighters were first on scene and confirmed the person had died before handing the case over to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, which provides policing for Caltrain.
Caltrain released automated messages saying there is police activity on the tracks and there is an “unknown cause” for the current delay.
Caltrain no longer releases information about when someone dies on the train tracks.
As a result, it is not clear how many people have died on the tracks this year or last year.
I go to Palo Alto high school and people at school are saying that it was a kid who died.
I work in this area and this is such sad news. I often see students on their bikes with headphones on too close to the tracks.
Yes my husband and I noticed and said the same. It’s scary, how we see the students stand/stop too close with the train track.
It had nothing to do with the student wearing headphones or biking or not paying attention. Students said he/she went under the drop down barrier and sat in the middle of the track intentionally.
It had nothing to do with the student wearing headphones or biking or not paying attention. Students said he/she went under the drop down barrier and sat in the middle of the track intentionally. Sad.
Seriously? Oh, my gosh. But if this is true, then other students must have been watching him without stopping him. Is that possible??
If someone sits on trintracks with a train approaching, others would not be “watching him without stopping him” — they can’t stop it without likely being hit too.
People need to stop saying students needed to step in to stop a student (when a train is barreling down).
The barrier came down for a reason, you don’t cross the barrier and risk your life. That will be 2 or 3 lives lost not just 1.
These are kids. Kids are 14 years old all the way to 18 year old children. There were adults driving in cars as well. Why not say, “why didn’t the adults get out and stop the student?”
Stop putting unnecessary blame and burden on the students who were already traumatized enough to witness this!
I agree 100% with not blaming those who were unfortunate enough to witness the suicide. But this also includes not blaming the few adults in cars who were there. Whole thing must have happened in 5 seconds or less – impossible for anyone, especially someone in a car many yards away, to stop the student. I’m sure it was traumatic for all witnesses (students and adults), let’s not blame any of them.
I still can’t believe it. There might be many people saw him…… heart breaking.
It almost always seems to be, this time of year. So sad. So much pressure on the kids. I’m so sorry.
it has nothing to do with academic pressure. To say it’s “this time of year” implies it’s related to college admissions. To imply it’s pressure from parents is also ridiculous.
You can’t simplify depression and suicide to academic pressure. If only it were that simplistic. Depression is a very complicated mental DSM IV diagnosis. The fact that PAUSD shrouds suicide with whispers and tries to hide things brings so much shame to the issue of depression.
Depression in teens has many causes. Pointing accusatory fingers to parents is not helpful, nor is it constructive, but also for a family that is grieving, the worst type of blame you can pile upon them.
Remember that teens don’t have fully developed frontal lobes. They think being dumped by a girlfriend or boyfriend is the end of the world. They think not making the varsity basketball team is the end of the world. They think failing the driving exam is the end of the world. They think their BFF not answering their text is the end of the world.
They could be on medications that precipitate depression (i.e. Accutane). They could have depression that was undiagnosed.
It’s not about college applications or admissions. The student that passed away was not a senior or a junior.
PAUSD has multiple stupid academic rules that prevent kids from taking higher level classes that PAUSD actually forces kids to be overwhelmed in grade 11 (junior year) because of their damn stupid academic rules. That is part of the problem PAUSD causes older grade students to be over loaded because they prevent younger kids from taking higher level couse work.
But this student was a younger studnet and it was not about college admissions at all. And blaming parents is not helpful to anyone.
Well said. Their frontal lobes are not fully developed and they don’t understand the full consequences.
Yeah, they don’t know that death is permanent? Come on, do you think these teens are idiots? Stop the condensation and come to grips with the real cause, mental illness. The kids who do this typically have a history of self-harm and hospitalizations. The parents and close friends aren’t surprised. Sadly we don’t help these kids. If they have a 5150 at school, they’re handcuffed by police and led out of school to a waiting patrol car. It’s completely insensitive and it demonstrates how our response to these youths is completely inappropriate. And when they die, everyone is told not to talk about them or memorialize them in any way. That makes the grieving even worse. And we treat other students like they’re idiots. The school administrators like Don Austin have learned NOTHING from the past.
This is heart breaking.
Earlier detection and support for kids struggling with mental health issues is the key. The incredible pressure most of the kids in this area are under from parents and teachers to be seen to ‘succeed’ is also a factor
Blaming Caltrain is also not the solution: theyw anted to elevate the train (like in San Carlos) but the city of Palo Alto turned that down.
Spare some compassion for the poor train driver and the emergency services too.
While it is true that depression and suicide are complex issues that cannot be reduced to a single cause, it is overly dismissive to claim that academic pressure, especially in high-achieving communities like the Bay Area, plays no role. Research and evidence suggest that external stressors, including over-the-top parental and societal expectations, can significantly impact mental health, particularly in adolescents and their own children, without even noticing it. Parents in the Bay Area have their heads so far up their behind that they get lost living vicariously through their own kids, all while pushing them over the top.. or.. tracks.
I think your wrong the pressure of this whole area is crushing
Most suicides are associated with mental illness. Peopie are built to adapt to pressure. Stress isn’t the cause, mental illness is.
“Anonymous” wrote a very helpful comment to inform the community. Understanding some facts of this student’s case helps keep our focus on the complex realities of our teens, and the limitations of bystanders. Our discussion is most productive when we allow appropriate privacy for those involved. We can be supportive without blaming, without prying, and without speculating about a tragic event. Most people will never know all the details, and that’s exactly how it should be. My condolences go to the family, school personnel and students.
Your statement about PAUSD’s “stupid rules” is wrong. Look at the course catalog at either high school and you’ll see an evenly-spaced progression of coursework.
As a result of the suicide cluster in 2013-2014, PAUSD changed policies and bell schedules, and increased funds for counseling services, all to reduce pressure on students.
Teachers and administrators care about the students they serve, and they suffer when this happens – I saw it firsthand when I was there during the 2013-2014 cluster. Your blaming the district is heartless and without merit.
Clearly not a parent if you think the coursework is evenly-spaced. Unless you mean “bring everyone down to the bottom”
This is equally simplistic. As a Gunn graduate who has since attended two colleges, my current peers do struggle with mental health but nothing like the scale of high school (pre Covid). This has also been reinforced by conversations with former and current classmates – there’s something different about Gunn. If Gunn allowed AP classes in sophomore year, students/parents would just demand more classes.
The student was female identifying as trans using pronouns they/them as suggested by the gofundme setup by the organizer.
It’s sad they didn’t get the help they desperately needed to avoid such a horrific tragedy
I’ve heard that too
Mathias, our hearts are with you all!! Be safe, and ask for help, when you need it.
Mathias, our hearts are with you all!! Stay strong, and ask for help if you need it.
I thought they were supposed to be people watching the tracks in that area to prevent high school students from attempting to commit suicide. Sorry for whoever it was and hopefully it was an accident. If it was suicide I hope then my school steps up and provides more intense support
That was well spoken and clarified. Thank you
As with the various expensive high-tech camera systems, the now discontinued-due-to-high-costs “track watch” program was ineffective “security theater.” Without continuous barriers such as in completely closed systems such as airport people movers, it is impossible to stop suicides wherever people can simply step into the path of oncoming trains … and that includes from station platforms as with many of Caltrain suicides and the 2 BART suicides within the last 2 weeks.
Costly grade separations can only stop (thankfully quite rare) true accidents because suicidal people will simply shift to where there is remaining opportunity at completely open nearby stations and other remaining open crossings … or just use one of the many more common and less public means.
Palo Alto’s “track watch” personnel were basically (and understandably!) very bored low-grade “observe & report” security guards required to spend long hours sitting around solo at train crossings. Eventually some were caught using drugs, masturbating, and even committing burglaries … perhaps out of sheer boredom.
Because they literally could not anticipate or physically prevent someone from fatally stepping into the path of an oncoming train from a position of perfectly normal safety at the last moment from one of the 4 different points the sidewalks intersect with the track crossing, their only practical role and added value was to possibly, hopefully serve as a deterrent by their very presence.
do you know the name or which year the student was in. I heard people had recorded the video that makes me sick because why didn’t they help the kid.
To be honest, there wasn’t much others could have done, if the kid really did go onto the tracks after the barriers came down. There is a very narrow time window to rescue the kid before the train comes, and I completely understand why others wouldn’t or couldn’t rescue the kid. They thought about their own safety too.
Correct, when those barriers go down, it’s way too late to save someone, The train speeds through in about 10 seconds.
The first sentence of this article says, “a student was killed”
returning federal workers don’t know how to drive.
What is wrong with you, Jan Horvath, joking about a death?
Jan Horvath, your comment is shameful.
Please get help for whatever is causing you see the death of a child as a reason to make a completely unrelated and hate filled political point. I will pray for the soul of this child and I hope you have someone who would be willing to pray for you.
Yes, we all need prayers. Life can be hard and our compassion is important. We are united in grief and hope others considering suicide will know they matter and life, even when we feel alone and down, is worth living. A smile can save a life sometimes. Wishing every one peace and compassion.
[Post removed — Obscenity.]
Caltrain’s policy of concealing deaths isn’t working out so well.
The reason they conceal the deaths is to prevent copycat incidents. It was well established that drawing attention to the suicide and speculating (as we are all doing here) makes it more likely that other students close to him will start thinking about suicide. Of course there is desire to honor the person and help the family but this should be done privately by those who know them.
I also go to Paly. Like Mathias said, word around school is that a student was killed by the Caltrain. I don’t have any way to confirm or deny, but I’ve also heard that it was deliberate and they laid themselves down on the tracks. Suicide or not, a very sad incident.
It was a suicide. One of my classmates was the victim 🙁
Is the class alright is the family alright I can imagine how devastating it is. I hope they put down the videos of the kid dieing
my daughter is friends with a boy from paly that fits the description.She is freaking out because he hasn’t called her back. Is it possible for you to tell me his name or something so that I can ease my daughters mind. She goes to Gunn
My daughter is worried because she has been talking to a boy from paly who fits the description. Has not responded to her messages. Is there any way you might be able to ease her mind about who it was?
Suicides are tragic for all, but bad publicity for Caltrain
Perhaps it’s time to prevent Caltrain or trains from running through Palo Alto.
The stop closest to Palo Alto, the Caltrain should provide busses and buss the passengers from that stop to the next stop (Menlo Park)?
That’s kind of like saying “There’s this bridge on 101 that lots of people use to kill themselves, lets close that section of highway off and make people walk through that section, then they can get in their cars again and drive after that bridge.” Besides, there are plenty of other, less public ways of suicide, so our focus should be on finding out what causes suicides and do something about the root cause.
Keeping the word about deaths secret only adds to the stigma of suicide. Most folks who take their lives are suffering from mental illness. The secrecy only makes them more apprehensive about sitting down with a professional to deal with their problems. Shame on Caltrain for perpetuating this stigma. Do better!
As a former student of PALY during the peak of “The suicide wave”, I understand where you are coming from in terms of wanting to know. But I hope you would understand the reasoning behind the secrecy. It was beyond traumatic watching each death trigger an onslaught of copy-cat suicides in the same fashion. Many of us still, 15+ years later, struggle to hear the train horn in terror that it is trying to warn another student to get out of the way. Please have some empathy for both students AND Caltrain workers who have to share the trauma but never get any sympathy.
Thank you for this gracious comment. I am so sorry for everything you and your fellow high school students have gone through and I especially appreciate your comment about the CalTrain workers. Being involved in this sort of trauma leaves indelible scars on all.
There was no evidence of copycat suicides. There were no cases where one suicide would follow another after just a day or two. That was made up by the people who wanted to bury this whole issue. Hiding the problem won’t make it go away. Secrecy makes it worse. The Caltrain board members should be ashamed.
I won’t claim to know the right answer, and I get what you are saying, but in 2009 when the first of that cluster happened, Gunn shut down for a couple days and they put huge attention on the event, commemorating the child with schoolwide assemblies and so forth. I thought that was the wrong move to put it in the limelight.
Mom of a teen, you are very much mistaken. Copycat deaths are well documented phenomenon. Check out the “Copycat in Suicide: A Systematic Review of the Literature” on PubMed from J Clin Med. 2024 Nov 25.
Psychologists have debunked the copycat theory, aka the Werther effect. It was pushed in the 1960s by sociologist David Phillips. But nobody has been able to successfully replicate his work.
William Proctor of Bournemouth University wrote: “Phillips’ methodology has been widely criticized and the research effectively debunked from within the field itself.”
After analyzing the methodology and findings, James Hittner, associate professor of psychology at the College of Charleston, found that “the Phillips data were not supportive of the Werther effect.”
Hittner said that Phillips’ studies were re-analyzed twice and the only partially supported the Werther effect.
September 30, 2019 article by the University of Bristol self-harm prevention research group says:
“[I]t would be incorrect to conclude that all media coverage of suicide is harmful. Despite compelling evidence, research in the field is characterised by inconsistent findings, with a proportion of research showing no effect,” wrote author Helen Fay.
Here’s an easier way to think about this. If you believe in the copycat theory, then what was the suicide locally that triggered Tuesday’s tragedy? Right, there wasn’t one.
Instead of relying upon debunked theories, let’s deal with the root causes of suicide in our society.
Hey Mich, read what I wrote and comment on that. Yes, there are copycat suicides when it involves celebrities, but no proof that it exists in the case of train deaths. If you think the copycat theory applies to Tuesday’s tragedy, then when and where was the train suicide that triggered it? Answer the question please, don’t change the subject.
Mich didn’t respond, so that answers the question. Thanks “Mom of a Teen” for illustrating what BS this copycat theory is. Maybe now we can start to look for real solutions.
Copy-cat suicides can happen even years afterwards.
Are you so desperate to call this a “copycat” incident that you’re willing to change the definition of copycat? But at least you’re admitting thst there were no deaths in the tracks in the week before tuesday’s death.
If any and every suicide “even years afterward” can be arbitrarily deemed “copycat” then you’ve made the term and concept meaningless and unfalsifiable.
At some basic level nearly everything that humans do (good or bad) is “copycat” because others have done it before and shown that it does or can work to achieve a particular end.
Was there a train suicide before this one, and this is just a copycat? When was that?
CDC case study of cluster suicides of Palo Alto kids showed it was NOT stress nor was it NOT pressure from academics. CDC it was dangerous to say it was.
CDC said it was due to mental illness and the majority had depression or diagnosed depression.
PAUSD needs to be open and say it was suicide (acknowledge the problem) as well as mental illness of depression.
Depression is often hidden and treated as if shameful. We as a society need to acknowledge when someone has a mental illness.
All this cloak and dagger of not saying it was or was not suicide by PAUSD and hiding it is terrible. So is the not dealing with depression as a mental illness.
A 21 year old young man died same way in Meno park on Feb 8th. RIP
I don’t disagree with your position that suicide is not a direct result of current high stress or academic pressure–highly academic students report on surveys they are more connected and engaged–but from my experience working with kids in high school (substitute teacher and volunteer), early onset (elementary) and ongoing insistence (through ms and high school) that “success” depends on perfect grades and exalted extra-curriculars is extremely risky for many students. This insistence can come from self, peers, and parents, and it is critical that parents disrupt this line of thinking and support their students wherever they are. Just today a MS student told me he had to have highest marks to get into the good colleges, to secure a high-paying job and stable life. “No,” I said. That is not the only way to secure that path. You can totally screw up in high school, go to community college–and with effort to improve your study habits–start over and transfer to a UC (with a lower gpa than HS), or get accepted to some other quality college. In this country, there is even a bit of admiration for students who have had to struggle a bit and come out of it stronger. Let’s get that message out there please! We love all these young people, and it is crushing to lose any of them.
It’s so nice that you encouraged a student with MS in that way.
I don’t think the CDC study can prove that it wasn’t the overall environment in the schools that contributes, even if individual students weren’t specifically worried about academic achievement. The stressed out unhappy culture at Paly is unusually bad. Fewer kids have fun and socialize because of the pressure. The kids who aren’t attempting to “win” the college admissions game must internalize a sense of failure given the intense drive toward academic success here and the unbelievable amount of time and effort it takes to come out on top. It trickles down with many side effects throughout the school environment. There’s no way the CDC could have measured all of that complexity.
That said, the availability of the train tracks is a huge factor — we need to rush toward grade separation. Palo Alto needs to be brave, enforce eminent domain despite the complaints of individual property owners, and do what’s right for the city and community.
Stress, pressure from academics and so
many other stressors can play into mental health, so not mutually exclusive. The important thing is that we listen, support and destigmatize seeking help when anyone is in a crisis, especially our young people. Text or call 988, Or text 742741, or text, chat, or toll-free phone in English (833) 317-HOPE (4673) or in Spanish (833) 642-7696. if you know someone is struggling, don’t judge , tell
them they are not alone, and ask them how you can help.
Unfortunately I witnessed this event. It was very intentional by the victim. I’m so sorry people feel this is their only choice left. I hope all those affected seek help. I definitely needed the support of a professional after witnessing this tragic death.
You just sat there and watched? Did you do something about it?
Why are you blaming someone who witnessed a traumatic event (most likely a student) pedestrian/biker?
You think you would be in shock witnessing someone do the unthinkable, or do you think you would jump into action and risk your life trying to pull someone from an onslaught of a 200,000 lb train coming at you?
Exactly how much time would this witness have to try to save the kid’s life?
Stop the blame. You were not there. You don’t know the emotional trauma this witness has to deal with.
What is wrong you?
Based on what I heard, the victim crawled under the barriers after they had dropped down, which meant that anyone attempting to rescue him would have put their own life at considerable risk, considering that they had mere seconds to get in, grab them, and get them both out. I completely understand why someone wouldn’t have attempted to rescue the victim, with a train coming in mere seconds.
What is wrong with you? If you are a human, please apologize. If you a bot, please be reprogrammed. There would only be a few seconds to act and they would have had to be beyond the barriers to do so.
What happened was horrible. There is no disputing that. But please stop shaming someone who by no fault of their own happened to be at this intersection when this occurred. This someone is my daughter who also had her two year old in the car with her. This is my daughter who was the first to call 911 in tears to report it. This is my daughter who had to speak to mental health professionals after witnessing this death and also had to remain on site to be questioned. So please think twice before condemning someone who really couldn’t have stopped this from happening, because she would have if it had been at all possible. And this is my daughter who will no longer be able to go this route ever again.
You should go see a psychiatrist and get yourself some help if that is how you talk to someone dealing with trauma..
why didnt u help
I assume this question is a sick joke that doesn’t dignify a response but I can’t ignore it. Wrong place wrong time, presumably a Paly student, really doesn’t need insensitive questions like this. Any reasonable person would know that it was a very dangerous situation. There was probably very little time if any to process and intervene without putting their own life at risk. Just be kind. The last thing they need is a guilt trip.
My heart goes out to you. If it makes you feel any better, I’ve been fighting for a viaduct – elevated tracks – for years and will continue doing so.
I graduated from Pali in 89’. Seems like just yesterday I would leave my house, listen to my music with my boombox in my gym bag, and cross those train tracks daily. High School was fun back then. The amount of pressure these kids have nowadays, with academics and sports, and every other activity under the sun you can think of, is overwhelming. I’ve wondered when do these precious souls have time to sleep? We didn’t have crossing guards back then……. wasn’t a thought back then. I’m saddened for this student. I can relate to what he was going through……. Whatever it was. Prayers to his parents who lost their child today. Unfortunately, these incidents will continue to occur. Our children our crying for help internally……, I’d say more like screaming. Let’s all get more involved with our fellow classmates. Another town hall about suicide is long overdue. Remember……. there is always help. God bless and love.
as a paly student I’m not feeling to good there is so much pressure for me to be better than someone else when I am really not able to. It’s really depressing that I will graduate a moderate to low student even tho I spend all my time working.
I feel so sad this is how the system is here. The expectations in this town are unrealistic, and my heart goes out to all students who are struggling with stress and depression and crushing workloads. It should NOT be this way–high school is a time to savor, not be sleep-deprived and anxious to the point of taking one’s life. Thinking of you and all students having a rough time.
Dear Anonymous PALY student, despite how this environment makes you feel like a “moderate to low student,” please know that you are way more than this artificially constructed yard stick of your self worth. I tell my kids all the time that they are great just the way they are. And so are you. As you said, you work hard and undoubtedly try your best. With that work ethic, you will find your way and your place in this world. Spread your wings and leave Palo Alto when you graduate. The world is much bigger than here. You are loved.
Well said “Another Palo Alto Parent.” Anonymous, if you don’t have another trusted adult to talk to, maybe we could have an after school-sponsored gathering where students and community members get together to offer other points of view. I’m a mother of 3 sons (last just graduated from Gunn), and happy to talk about a hopeful future. This could be on campus. I am also a credentialed teacher with some perspective. Perhaps the school could organize the event, and the Daily Post could cover it?
Anonymous Paly students:
My daughter was an average student in high school (in terms of grades,) and was stunned to discover that she is a rockstar student in college. You may have a similar experience.
If you can travel, I highly recommend it because it’s helpful to witness that what is valued in Palo Alto is not necessarily valued in other places. Finding mentors can be helpful. My kids found some exceptional teachers at Paly. If there is someone you particularly like, maybe stay after class or arrive early. Also, volunteering and taking time to think about what you’re grateful for can be grounding.
I’m certain you are an extraordinary person who is a gift to this world. Keep working hard. Adolescence doesn’t last forever- soon you’ll have more control over the context of your life.
Sending you big hugs! <3
You will hopefully find that once you are done with PAUSD life will be more enjoyable and that you are better off than the optics appear currently. From what my kids have said and what I have heard from others, I believe growing up in PA area is akin to seeing yourself in a “funhouse” mirror; totally distorted from reality. But if you’ve only been able to see yourself this way, it’s hard to imagine that it’s not the only “reality” out there. Hang in there and no shame in seeking help or an expert perspective to see that things can be different and better.
I’m really sorry you’re feeling this way. It sounds like you’re working incredibly hard, and that effort alone is something to be proud of. Your worth isn’t defined by how you compare to other; you’re more than just grades or rankings. The pressure at Paly can be intense, but you’re not alone in feeling this way. Many students struggle with these expectations, and it’s okay to feel frustrated.
What truly matters is that you’re learning, growing, and doing your best. Your persistence and dedication will take you far, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talking to a trusted friend, teacher, or counselor might help. You’re not alone, and there are people who care about you and want to support you. Hang in there—you are enough just as you are.
I dropped outta paly (and gunn). Went back to school via community college 10 years later and got a free ride through cal state.
Parental pressure aside, no matter how bad you mess up in high school, you can correct it with 2 years community college any time. CSU love transfer students.
As a paramedic with 3 decades of experience from the field, I urge people not to be so quick to classify or compartmentalize others into blanket one-size-fits-all reasons in an attempt to justify these occurrences. We see every type of individual on the planet represented in the 911 calls we take. Mental illness does not lead to suicide, just as all suicides aren’t rooted in mental illness. Most of what we see are people struggling — with domestic violence, loss of any kind, lifestyle change that is abrupt or devastating, returning vets, recreational/accidental drug use/overdose, & everything in between. If one were to document statistics, one could hypothesize that many of the calls that resulted in suicide — could have been mitigated by the following : TALK to someone; a friend, family member, teacher, coach, heck, even a stranger! Gather yourself, process what’s happening, and be open to a fresh perspective. When you find yourself under a dark cloud, get outside into the sun or fresh air & JUST BREATHE— fill up with endorphins & re-think things. Call someone. Anyone. What plagues people today is partly due to underdeveloped abilities to pick up, brush off & move on; that things that seem insurmountable are hardly ever that…and partly because these less love for one another & empathy for others. Prayers go out to the family & to anyone connected to suicide of any kind. We must learn to be thankful for everyday blessings. We’re all here for limited time, we must be filled with gratitude to be alive & share that with those around us. G-d bless.
Our thoughts and Prayers are with the Family of this student. As a parent of a Paly Student this is close to home. There are many resources available for student that are dealing with tough issues. I sincerely pray that you the students who attend Paly try and be aware of a fellow student who shows the signs of mental or emotional struggles. Sometimes it’s difficult and even impossible to see the signs so you can’t blame yourself. Be careful not to participate in belittling someone based on their outer appearance because we never know what a person is going through on the inside. Try your best to treat other ppl the way you would wanted to be treated ❤️. Take Care & God Bless You
We used to have parents sitting in lawn chairs at crossings to prevent tragedies like this. Then the City shoes them away and promised to handle it with high-tech cameras and other devices. That failed yesterday! As a taxpayer and a citizen, I want an explanation from the city and I want cops at these crossings untill we get a suitable solution.
Those lawn chair people were not allowed to stop someone from suicide, they were merely public relations for PAUSD. Some of them burglarized houses while they were on duty.
Jenny, you’ve got that all mixed up. At the beginning of November in 2009, parents began sitting in lawn chairs next to Caltrain crossings to stop suicides. They were successful and no deaths occurred. None of the parents were charged with burglary. Then, on November 23, 2009, City Manager Jim Keene hired security guards and told the parents to go away. Beginning in February of 2016, the guards were arrested for home burglaries or lewd conduct in their personal automobiles. After that, the city hired a contractor to install cameras to watch the tracks. When a person was detected on the tracks, dispatchers would get a call from the contractor, and the dispatchers would send a police officer to the tracks. Last year, as the cost of the camera program continued to escalate, the city shut down the cameras with no public notice. Maybe it’s time to go back to having parents watch the tracks?
Don’t hold your breath. The city manager never answers questions like “why were the track cameras turned off?” City council will dodge tough questions. The City has some PR people who speak in euphemisms and PC, but they’ll try to minimize the City’s guilt. They failed but they’ll never admit that.
You can’t rely on the city of solve an important problem. All the city is good at is handing tax dollars to consultants.
As a student, I have heard that people have a lot of sucuidal thoughts, but choose not to share them becuase they don’t have a good connection with others, or believe that people will tease/not belive them. I think this will continue to happen especially of people don’t have solid relationships and it takes a crazy amount of courage.
I agree with this. My friend and I were talking about it earlier in Social Studies ( same friend who wrote that), and we agreed to look out for others who could be depressed.
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Student (cd) I totally agree with you about the need for solid relationships. Having those with peers, neighbors, family, and others can be like the roots of a tree. They keep us stable during the “storms.” Although talking about mental health can be helpful, my feeling is we aren’t targeting the main problem effectively promoting opportunities for connection. I’ve got some ideas if you want to get involved.
I was one of the people who saw this suicide yesterday. He sat down on the tracks as the train approached. This is terribly upsetting and I’ll never forget it. It happened so fast nobody could jump in and pull him off the tracks. We need to stop all the trains until we can prevent this from happening again.
I am so sorry.. Please talk to your family and friends and get all the help you can .. I cry just thinking about it – I can not imagine what I would do if I saw a child lose their life.
As a student, I know that this is a huge problem for multiple reasons.
For one, many people have suicidal thoughts, and have definitely considered taking their lives, but don’t want to tell anyone, because they don’t have a good relationship with anyone.
Furthermore, they feel they will be teased/not believed and that is hard. It also takes crazy courage, and suicide feels like the answer to end the pain, without a catch. They also think it will make a point to others, especially those they hate.
Right. When someone is at that level of despair, the changes that are needed are huge and, most of those changes need to take place within their family and in the schools – when it comes to teens, most of what has created that extreme level of distress is not of their making or in their control and they know that “asking for help” only makes things worse. I mean, what? Were these people saying “they just need to ask for help” not teens themselves? Ugh. (I’m 62.)
If Caltrain is allowed to keep death statistics secret, we’ll never know how widespread of a problem this is. When one death occurs, we might be tempted to think it’s an unusual event. But when you hear that 18 happened in a year along a 40~ mile stretch of tracks, you have to wonder why Caltrain isn’t moving more quickly to deal with this problem. Hiding the data isn’t going to solve anything; it will just make it harder for people to fix this problem. If Caltrain continues with this policy, I think we need to start electing the Caltrain board in order to put people on there who are more accountable.
Unfortunately, short of physically sealing off the entire system with impenetrable barriers (such as with airport people-movers and the newest and most modern subway style systems with even their station platforms sealed off from the tracks with expensive mechanized “platform screen doors”), it is — and *always* has been — literally, physically impossible for rail systems around the world to stop suicidal people from quickly stepping from a perfectly normal and safe position into the fatal path of an oncoming train at the last moment.
The knee-jerk desire to find an easy culprit “that just needs to do something!” (but what, exactly?) in rail system operators is understandable, because suicide is such a frustratingly difficult and intractable-seeming public mental health issue that has no easy solutions or blame we can conveniently place on others.
My heart is with this student’s familiy, the observers, Cal Train workers, the students who feel alone, and those who are struggling. To our precious youth, please keep reaching out to a caring adults until someone listens. Each and everyone of you is so important.
My sincere condolences for the loss of this student and for our Paly students during this painful time.
Im a paly student and i am deeply saddned by the situation (excuse me for my bad grammar I’m tired) It sickens me to think that this student whoever he was or how old he was decided to commit suicide. PAUSD has to start acknowledging mental health to a level where kids will be safe. It is not alright for the PA to say that no kid will go onto the track but then let a literal child sit on the tracks. WE NEED TO FIX THIS! IF anybody has any more information about what happened I would like to know since I am sure this can be avoided in the future> for example what year they were in or if they were acting strangely before or “social ranking” I want to be able to fight for the students who are struggling with mental health
My son has heard around campus that he was a sophomore.
There’s an easy fix: build an elevated track (a viaduct) for CalTRain. Palo Alto residents shot that idea down twelve years ago because the idea upset them. (!!!) The problem with the schools is that all the school reforms are versions of rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Like building a viaduct, make the profound structural changes in schooling/educational organization needed to create an environment that supports humans rather than oppresses them is nt even on the radar for most educators and admins. But the answers are out there. If you are curious, check out the way Denmark, Finland and Netherlands do schooling. It’ll blow your mind.
Why we can’t fix things? I think the core issue here is that the human brain is not made to think. The human brain is made to keep us alive. This causes a lot of problems. But yes, you have every right to be outraged. I am outraged with you and have been outraged about this longer than you’ve been alive.
If you have a mind to, maybe show up to a city council meeting and speak during public comments and give them a piece of your mind.
Each year the trains kill many children. We have to stop it. Trains should slow down at a few intersections to save kids’ lives.
Former Palo Alto high school teacher here. Part of why we left the Bay Area to raise our family was the impossible situation I saw my students in — they weren’t allowed to be kids. Constant depression and misery for these beautiful souls. As someone already said, the Bay Area is a funhouse mirror (a dangerous one) and to any high schooler reading this: know that your life will only get better… I promise. Your grades, where you go to college — none of this is connected to your value. Your worth exists no matter what, and nothing will change that. Take good care and frankly, if you can, get the heck out of the Bay Area as soon as possible. You’re not alone.
We moved from Southern California a few years ago and the environment in PAUSD is not normal. Even with a unweighted GPA of 4 my son feels he is not good enough, his extra curriculars are not enough. It has taken a lot of effort to gain his confidence back. We cannot wait for him to graduate next year and move out. There is a much bigger world out there. Every child will find success in life in their own unique way.
Im a current PALY student, and this event has shook so many people, a friend of mine witnessed this event and she is still in shock. I feel that everyone should work harder to see through the shields we put up to keep others from knowing how we truly feel. I believe that everyone should reach out to trusted people if they have any sucidal thoughts, as well as the district needs to stop putting so much pressure on us students. I have been told by countless classmates, how much pressure they are dealing with, from both parents as well as classes. My heart goes out to the family and friends of the student we lost.
I go to PALY and it was a sophomore, I don’t want to give any names out
Dear Paly students,
There is no shame in admitting you are depressed. There is no shame reaching out for help. Life continually changes and whatever that moment in life looks like (financial issues, friend issues, parent issues, teacher issues, sports issues, boyfriend/girlfriend issues), there is nothing in life at this stage that is permanent or will be life lasting.
It is a temporary and transient phase of life.
PAUSD tries cover up depression and suicides and make it feel shameful.
We need to address depression head on.
Seek help. Speak to someone. Speak again to someone. Speak and yell until someone hears you and realizes you are depressed.
Your life is precious and never give up.
Don’t let this temporary phase of life be the end of your story.
Depression is an illness and should be treated with medications, not hidden and whispered about, and covered up with shame.
“Anonymous” says “There is no shame in admitting you are depressed.” OK, then how come you want to keep the suicides secret?
I’d like it if the virtue-signalling parents who are offering young people condescending advice would just STFU! Quit telling us how we should feel about things. You’re just giving advice because it makes you feel better.
No- we’re giving advice because we have lived through it and we know it gets better.
Thanks for proving my point!
Saying “it’s going to get better” to someone who is considering suicide is like saying “calm down!” to someone who is angry, only it’s much much worse. Not only is it insulting and insensitive, it pushes that person closer to suicide. Your comment is about making YOU feel better, about relieving your own anxiety and absolving you of the responsibility of doing something. A student has called you out. Good on them. I feel an apology is in order.
As a fellow Paly Student, I 100% agree. None of the adults understand the school environment we live through right now and how it impacts our mental health. None of the parents lived in a world where you had to be scared a person would come to school threatening to murder everyone there. And none of the parents understand the high stakes environment of Palo Alto, as much as they try, no advice will change it.
As a paly student who saw it happen and knew the student, it makes me sick to see people commenting on why no one tried to stop them. There was nothing anyone could do. It was also horrible to see palys original reaction to the event. During the first half of the day there were really only rumors going around and everyone was making jokes about it. No one took it seriously and saw it as more of a minor inconvenience than anything. Always remember there is another way and if you ever need someone to talk to, help is available. Please stay safe!
So sorry you experienced this. One would think PAUSD, the Superintendent, and Paly and Gunn would have figured out how to deal with this issue in a sensitive but transparent manner.
They have a tendency to hide things and let the whispers percolate and once rumor mill has fully passed along the message, then they send out an email to the parents (really belatedly)
A short announcement would have stopped it. “A tragedy occurred at Caltrain this morning involving a Paly student. PLease be sensitive … Any Paly student witnesses, please excuse yourself and go to room 123 to speak with the counselor any time today”
It’s disappointing to hear Principal Brent Kline just let the first half ot he morning go as per usual schedule, while rumors and trauma permeated the campus. Shameful. Disappointing of PAUSD.
To Disappointed yet again by PAUSD
Sadly, I’m not surprised at all by the way this was handled by Principal Klein and the others in the Paly administration.
Just a week prior my student and I attended the Site Council meeting where the annual review of the Comprehensive School Site Safety Plan was on the agenda. A mere 15-20 minutes of the hour long meeting was allotted to this important topic.
The issues to be discussed were provided in a handout that was presented for review by committee members immediately prior to the discussion. The form was prefilled and the committee was told that another group had already established the priorities for this year’s plan.
While the majority of boxes were ticked on the form titled “Safe School Survey; What are the needs of school, staff and students?”, among the FEW ITEMS LEFT UNTICKED AS NOT IMPORTANT were notably the following under the three subcategories as follows:
1) ASSURE A SAFE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: (7 of 10 boxes checked as needs)
Improve ingress/egress routes was one of three items not checked as needed
2) PROVIDE EACH STUDENT WITH RESILIENCY SKILLS (Expectations, Caring and Participation) by ENHANCING: (10 of 12 items checked as needs)
“Parent Involvement” was not checked as needed
All but one other box were checked as needed including “High Academic Self-Expectancy”
3) ASSURE a SAFE, RESPECTFUL ACCEPTING and EMOTIONALLY NURTURING ENVIRONMENT by PROMOTING: (16 of 24 items checked as needs)
Of the 8 items that were NOT indicated as needed are
Drug-free school
Parent involvement
Anti-bullying/hazing
Suicide Prevention/Response Plans
For reference some of the items indicated as needs in this category are
Extracurricular Activities,
Attendance Enhancement and
Effective Teacher/Student relationships
This document is very telling of the district’s (Paly’s) priorities and position regarding parent involvement.
Perhaps if more than 20 minutes and an honest interest in the lived experiences of ALL types of students at Paly had been encouraged by Brent Klein, then perhaps the lives of all students at Paly could have gotten the respect they deserve.
What does “Attendance Enhancement” mean? If we go class, isn’t that good enough? Or is there a way to “enhance” our time in class? Like not falling asleep? Or popping a ritalin at the beginning?
For those that were there: approximately how many witnesses would you guess there were? Were they all students waiting at the crossing, or did you notice if there were also some non-students (adults, perhaps in cars) who maybe could also see what happened?
There were adults there in cars who were talking to the police afterwards. But why is this important to you?
I have tried to learn as much as possible about all Caltrain suicides for many years now to better understand the scope, scale, and nature of this very difficult and age-old problem for Caltrain and rail lines everywhere. In this particular case, the (presumably) unusually high number of students and others who tragically and unfortunately were witnesses to this horrific and traumatic event is germane to a number of points, including the scale of the futility of having numerous (how many, approximately?) other people all around and maybe even initially standing next to the suicidal person being able to do anything to stop them from suddenly, unexpectedly quickly moving into the path of an oncoming train.
Thanks for asking, now would someone who was there kindly share approximately how many witnesses were unfortunately and helplessly at the crossing who had a view of what tragically happened with no realistic and safe chance of stopping it?
Ah, pardon me for questioning your obviously very important and rigorous research! Your request is clearly not simply to satisfy your own curiosity and/or self-importance in a way that is not citable or actionable in any meaningful sense.
In trying to learn about suicides on the tracks did it every occur to you to advocate for a viaduct (elevated track)? That would put an end to student suicides at grade crossings in Palo Alto. Could have been done decades ago.
Yes, of course, a viaduct past Churchill (or any other crossing) will ensure that someone wishing to die by Caltrain will have to go to another nearby access point — such as one of the nearby stations where many suicides already occur on Caltrain, and all suicides occur on systems like BART that have no public crossings.
For years there have been way too many suicides of Palo Alto teens. Way too much pressure to succeed.
There are posts on reddit from Palo Alto High students who say that the Wellness center is a farce. Apparently kids go into the Wellness Center and sit there and are crying, and the adults working there avoid eye contact and don’t speak to the students.
What kind of “wellness center” set up is this?
Free cookies and tea is not going to solve depression or teenagers who are crying.
Why are not trained counselors not there whom the students can book appointments with, and speak to?
Why are crying high school students sitting in the Wellness Center not being approached and adults working there are avoiding eye contact?
Because it’s all about being performative? Make a show but don’t have it really cost anything.
When I attended Paly there was a “wellness center.” It was called the alternative school. There was an “alternative” counselor who was an honest to goodness psychotherapist. The man saved lives all the time. What happened? Prop 13 slashed the budget and those programs got cut.
lol blame the city, PAUSD and your so called concerned rich neighbors who didn’t want to raise the track years ago when the idea was proposed. Oh so now you want the trains to slow down? No that’s not how it works. They don’t slow down cause some kid threw themselves. Close that section of Churchill so they can’t throw themselves anymore! lol no they will still jump in front on cal ave, meadow Dr or Charleston like they have in the past. What was the point of putting cameras on those streets anyways?? You’re right it was just a waste of money btw and y’all fell for that. The cameras DONT WORK! Once the person is on the track you think the PD is gonna drive from downtown to stop a suicide in time before the train gets there? Nope. The cameras are there to watch the kid off themselves and then say “oh we tried” and put the blame on the parents when the blame should be on the Schools. I know all of this cause I was a 2015 PALY grad. Schools here suck. Take your kids somewhere else and I mean it. PAUSD hasn’t changed at all since 2001 it’s embarrassing!
Instead of blaming the stress of school, I’d like to see an investigation into other factors. In 2002, a 14-year-old Paly student named Steven Wertheimer was prescribed the acne medication Accutane by his doctor. Turns out the drug not only cleared up a kid’s zits, but it led to wild mood swings. Steven threw himself in front of a Caltrain, even though friends and family said he wasn’t suffering from stress or academic pressure. The drug caused unpredictable mood swings. His family sued and got an out-of-court settlement from the manufacturer, Hoffman-La Roche. I know people like to say that academic stress is causing kids to jump in front of trains, but there are other things to consider.
My heart goes on for the child who had to take this tough decision – who or wha ever caused it – academic, teachers, peer pressure, environment, high bar parents etc… Also feel very bad for the child parents and how they are going through this tough time. We have been seeing many many incidents like this , last year GUNN school kid. before that another kid in PAUSD. List goes on. Personally it is a bad idea to build the school near rail tracks and graveyards. It is very negative vibes for kids and easy access to commit act like this. Succidal thoughts are just spur of the moment. That can be easily diverted with good vibes and happy surroundings. High school kids are still maturing though we might see them excelling good in academics. IQ and EQ are very different we all know. The kids front lobe does not fully developed until 25 and they are essential for control planning, judgment , emotional expression, reasoning. PAUSD and city of palo alto should take some kind of measures to monitor rail track and add controls. Even if we save 1% or even 0.000001% in entire city population we are saving lives and young generations and we should not be thinking it is budget, expensive etc… This act might instigate and give ideas for other young minds. it is spiral effect. Next PAUSD should take measures to add as part of the curriculum – life skills where kids are taught sympathy, empathy, kindness act, self esteem, EQ importanty. if PAUSD is thinking about adding ethnic studies, we have seen past few months lot of debates around it. They should have budget for this life skills as well which is important. It means they should properly on board teachers with humanities expertise.
You say “PAUSD should take measures to add as part of the curriculum – life skills where kids are taught sympathy, empathy, kindness act, self esteem, EQ importanty.”
Shouldn’t those things be taught in the home? If a young person doesn’t possess those skills, maybe their parents haven’t assimilated into the American way of life. In other places (and I won’t be specific because I don’t want to offend anyone) life is cheap. Suicides are common because people are treated like slaves. That’s why they yearn to come here. Unfortunately they don’t understand our belief that life is precious.
to “It Starts at Home” Poster:
Racist much? “Assimilated into the American way of life” assumes kids who kill themselves have parents who are immigrants? Exactly what are you saying and implying? There is a people group who push their kids into suicide by huge academic pressures and “haven’t assimilated into American way of life?”
Are you saying white or black kids don’t kill themselves? Are you saying yellow and brown kids only kill themselves or have parents putting immense pressure on them?
Immigrants don’t undrestand life is precious? How many racist statements can you put into 3 sentences there?
Hate to be in your presence where if you actually speak for hours on end what kind of racist and narrow minded thinking and broad stroked low minded thinking dwells in your mind.
So you’re saying we can’t have a real discussion about this problem or we risk being called a racist?
It is concerning that most of the rail suicides are by Asian males. Given that trend, the assimilation question needs to be asked. Maybe something else is going on, but let’s not cry “racist” and refuse to investigate a possible lead.
@77
The poster wrote that “it starts at home” and states, “If a young person doesn’t possess those skills, maybe their parents haven’t assimilated into the American way of life.”
Poster also states, “Unfortunately they don’t understand our belief that life is precious.”
What does that statement say?
1. Parents are immigrants
2. Parents haven’t assimilated into American way of life
3. Immigrant parents apparently don’t understand American’ beliefs that life is precious
4. Immigrants are ignorant
Lets have an honest discussion about suicide and an honest discussion about depression.
But what did that poster write? He/she wrote kids who kill themselves of parents of immigrants and are truly not American. Because real Americans are not immigrants and they value life as being precious.
Done with allt he racist thinking in this town. Yes racism starts at home and it seeps through every pore that I’ve seen of some folks in Palo Alto
I’m married to an Asian immigrant. My kids are both half (white/Asian). I lived in Palo Alto for about 20 years. People like you are the reason for the current political backlash (which makes me very happy-yes, I voted for Trump). The fact that you can’t even have a rational conversation without jumping to the racist card is sad. If you want to know why Trump won the popular vote, start looking in the mirror.
Do you know the difference between race and culture?
Maybe it’s time to seriously consider a pedestrian and bicycle underpass at Seale Avenue.
the accident didn’t happen at Seale Avenue. It happened at Churchill avenue.
And kids from the west side of Churchill bike to Churchill and cross over at Alma.
The grade separation has to happen at Churchill and Alma.
We should address the root causes of suicides and stop focusing on the train. When the parents were doing that track watch thing, where they stood by the crossings to keep kids off the tracks, a Gunn student took his life by jumping off of that tall apartment building on Arastradero. I think it’s the Tan Apartments. My point is if you take away one means for suicide, ppl who want to take their lives will find another way to do it. Lets find the causes of suicide and address that. Start with parents who put too much pressure on their kids. A family life that is devoid of love and affection. A school where it is hard to make friends. A town that is cold and indifferent to kids. I can go on, but it sucks to live here and it’s funny (in a sad way) to see everyone focus on a train rather than the cause.
Before we figure out a solution for this complicated crisis, is it possible to have all trains slow down at these grade intersections, starting immediately? It might add to the time of traveling, but perhaps the stops at stations can be shorter.
Thank you Paly Senior, a totally agree!
The school district, once again, is mismanaging the situation (remember the “covid” times of shutdowns, distancing, masks, pcr testing, plexiglass shields – all unsupported by evidence or logic) and imposing a type of conformist hive-mind, mentality on the students as well.
Why is the school not releasing the name of the dead student? In any other situation, the student’s name would be revealed, friends and classmates would offer heartfelt condolences, honor the student’s memory at graduation, and be allowed to grieve properly, not try to memory-hole the student. The silence policy only promotes fear, miscommunication, and false rumors. Not revealing the name is a very bad decision.
[Comment removed — Terms of Use violation. Do not post false information.]
State law requires the medical examiner-coroner to release the names of decedents that are “coroner’s cases.” The deceased’s family cannot tell the medical examiner-coroner to withhold identification or delay the release of a name. This law applies to decedents of all ages, including children.
Post – thank you for covering this story. Putting our heads in the sand does no good.
And after a needed time of mourning for this teen hopefully the Post will run a story on the impact of these suicides on the train crews and first responders who have to deal with the consequences of these tragedies. Imagine going home after being the train engineer whose train hit a teenager or as a first responder literally picking up the pieces.
The schools need to get the message out there to the students that if you’re thinking about doing something like this there are ways, and be specific, that you can get some relief. Maybe they whole family needs to do a reset and move.
How do you know they have’t gotten that message out? They have done this and done a good job of it, but it hasn’t worked. Maybe it’s better to ask the question “what are we missing?” Better yet, ask the question, “why hasn’t Palo Alto built a viaduct for the CalTrain tracks?” Elevated CalTrain tracks at all the grade crossings would mean no more teen suicides on the tracks. Could have been done decades ago.
Not only should we shut Caltrain down to stop suicides, but we need to close El Camino and Alma around the school, because it is far too easy for a person to jump into traffic and take their own life. Knives and other sharp objects should be removed from every Palo Alto home. Stores shouldn’t be allowed to sell Draino or rat poison. Finally, let’s bubblewrap all Paly students to prevent any kind of harm.
YES YES I COMPLETELY AGREE!
LETS ALSO MAKE ALL THE STUDENTS DO REMOTE LEARNING FULL-TIME SO THEY WON’T HAVE AS MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO GO OUTSIDE AND POTENTIALLY KILL THEMSELVES!!!
Beware of anyone promising an “easy fix” to this problem. Paly students have been jumping in front of trains since at least the early 1970s when I went there, and if there were an easy solution, we would have done it already. Back then, the kids who committed suicide (and this will sound insensitive to some) were those who had obviously severe psychological problems, including schizophrenia, psychosis and chronic and severe depression. They had made prior attempts at killing themselves and had been admitted several times to the hospital for suicidal behavior. Trust me, the kids weren’t being influenced by prior deaths reported in the media because teens were never big followers of the news. Therefore I don’t buy the “copy cat” theory. I do think the problem was untreated (and possibly undiagnosed) mental illness.
The Burlingame HS campus is literally framed by two Caltrain street crossings that the students cross en masse every school day … yet I cannot recall the last time any of their students — let alone a closely-spaced “cluster” of them — ran out and died in the path of an oncoming train there.
Academically rigorous Bellarmine HS in San Jose is also adjacent to the tracks and even has its own station (“College Park”) used almost exclusively by its students. I similarly can’t recall any particular problem with their students jumping in front of the even larger number of trains (Caltrain + ACE + Amtrak + more UP freights) that pass right by their campus.
So it is noteworthy and worth reflecting on why Palo Alto seems to have uniquely acquired a reputation for student train suicides.
@reality Check
Not true. A cursory google search found Mercury news reporting a 15 yr old boy died by Caltrain (he was on foot)in 2015. There was another death also in 2000 something as well.
Given Caltrain no longer publishes their deaths and keeps things hidden, we don’t even have a complete number of deaths of suicide at Burlingame Caltrain stations by Burlingame students.
Perhaps the real question worth reflecting is why could it possibly be your memory is faulty and not encyclopedic?
A fast internet search shows students at these other high schools died by Caltrain (and that is without Caltrain reporting student deaths).
Stop the accusations about PAUSD students and academic pressures. Academic pressures have gone up from 1970’s till now. So whether a student is in Belmont or Palo Alto, the admissions process is the same.
What you get is usually students who have undiagnosed or untreated mental health issues (be it depression or other DSM IV conditions). You may have student (as in one case at Paly) where the student’s death was attributed to the side effects of depression caused by Accutane (acne medication).
And be specific when you say “Burlingame” because we all know as you go towards Belmont high, grade separation occurs.