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Grief counselors available to Abington High School community after senior’s sudden death

ABINGTON, Mass. — An Abington High School senior was killed just weeks before her graduation. Police say the teen was struck by a commuter rail train Friday night.

Flowers have been placed along the side of Birch Street, right next to the MBTA train tracks. Her family tells us that 18-year-old Katelyn McCarthy lived in the area and was walking home, listening to music with her earbuds in.

Transit police say the fatal incident happened just after 11:30 Friday night. Their early investigation finds that the victim was walking along the right of way when she was struck by an MBTA commuter rail train. Transit police say the equipment at the crossing was functioning properly. Investigators do not suspect foul play. Family and friends of Katelyn tell Boston 25 News she will be greatly missed, especially by her mother who did everything for her.

“She was just an amazing, smart, unique, funny beautiful girl that didn’t care about what anybody thought about her,” said Heather Rizzotto, Katelyn’s aunt. “She had an amazing group of friends. And her family that mattered loved her very much.”

Meghan McCann says Katelyn was bullied growing up because she was unique, but that didn’t stop her from being who she was.

“She grew into this amazing, beautiful girl,” said Meghan McCann, Katelyn’s childhood friend. “No one ever treated her the right way and the people who loved her did and that’s who she cared about the most.”

McCann said Katelyn wanted to go to beauty school to become a hairdresser. She loved fashion and design. On graduation day, she says Katelyn’s mother will be walking across the stage to accept her diploma.

Counselors were available at the school over the weekend and will be back there today to help anyone who needs it.

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