Community Corner

Teen Train Victim Was 'Action-Packed Kid'

The Wilson teen killed by a train Sunday is being remembered for his love of motocross, skateboarding and snowboarding

Bradley Roth, the Wilson teen victim of "suicide by train" Sunday, suffered from depression but was an avid motorcycle racer and an "action-packed kid" who loved to skateboard and snowboard, his family told Lehigh Valley Live.

Roth, 19, graduated from Wilson High School and worked at Pizza Hut in Nazareth.

He died Sunday after being hit by a Norfolk-Southern Train near Island Park Road along the Lehigh River in Glendon, according to Pennsylvania state police at the Belfast barracks. Roth succumbed to blunt force trauma injuries at St. Luke's University Hospital in Fountain Hill. His death has been ruled a suicide by the Lehigh County Coroner, according to a Lehigh Valley Live report.

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Services for Roth will be held Wednesday.

A national suicide prevention hotline is available at 1-800-273-8255

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Train deaths make up about 3 percent of all suicides in the United States, according to the Federal Railroad Administration, which released a report last year saying trespasser suicides are a growing problem. The administration is studying whether fences and other barriers can be a more effective deterrent.

About 15 people in the Philadelphia area committed suicide by train from 2006 to 2011, according to a Philly.com report that noted how traumatic the tragedy can be for train operators driving a 400-ton locomotive.

2012 marked the first year the railroad administration attempted to collect data on the number of suicide train deaths. Rail lines are now required to include the medical examiners’ manner-of-death findings in information submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration.

Here is Bradley Roth's obituary:

Bradley R. Roth

He was born on April 22nd, 1993 in Easton. Brad was the son of Robert D. Roth, Jr. and Jean Marie Brembt Roth of Wilson Borough, Pa.

Brad was employed at Pizza Hut in Nazareth. Brad graduated from Wilson High School Class of 2011. He was an avid Motorcycle racer. Everyone loved Brad.

He is survived by his parents, Robert and Jean of Wilson Borough; a brother A.J. Lynn of Sciota, Pa., grandfather, Robert D. Roth, Sr. and his companion Suzanne Light of Palmer Twp.; uncles, Matthew S. Roth of Nazareth, John, Ralph, Rob, Paul and James Brembt and numerous cousins. Brad was predeceased by his loving Grandmother, Mary Mitzi Ressler Roth.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday February 20, 2013 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the funeral home. The Funeral will begin at the Finegan Funeral Home, 1837 Washington Blvd, Easton Pa on Thursday February 21, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in St. Jane Frances de Chantel Catholic Church, 4049 Hartley Ave. Easton, Pa. 18045. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rider Down Foundation at riderdown.org or the church.


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