Students rally around family of teen killed in train accident

By: Andy Cunningham Email

Updated: Thu 6:50 PM, Nov 01, 2012

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - We've learned classmates of a teenager hit and killed by a train have come up with a way to help his family.

Andy Byrd, 14, died Saturday. Investigators say the train hit him as he walked along some tracks in Madison County not far from his grandparents home off Highway 388.

This week classmates of Andy began raising money to help pay his family pay for funeral costs.

"They came to me earlier this week and asked if we could help Andy's family," Said Ken Bicknell, Principal at B. Michael Caudill Middle School in Richmond where Andy was a student.

"I said absolutely and after just one day we collected an amazing $2,600," Principal Bicknell said.

The money raised will be given to the family to cover funeral costs. Bicknell said his school continually finds ways to give back to the community, but this time was special.

"My kids amaze me everyday, so does my staff. They do so much good for our community," he said.

Students and staff at Caudill Middle will continue to collect donations through tomorrow before Andy's funeral which will be at Porter and Son Funeral Home in Campton at 3p.m.

An independent fund has also been setup at any Peoples Bank & Trust Co. in Richmond for others who would like to make a donation.

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