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JMU Students Grieve the Loss of a Classmate during Move In

Posted: 2:03 PM Aug 21, 2012
Reporter: Elizabeth Lamb

JMU Students Grieve the Loss of a Classmate during Move In

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY, Va --- Elizabeth Nass was killed a little bit after 12 a.m. Tuesday morning after a train derailed in Ellicott City, Md. She was 19 and about to start her junior year at JMU.

First responders say a CSX train carrying coal derailed or overturned. Some of the train cars fell off the bridge, killing Nass and another 19-year-old student. They were on the railroad tracks under the bridge at the time.

Howard County employees said teenagers often party and hang out on the tracks. Nass tweeted that she and Rose Mayr, the other victim, were drinking on top of the Ellicott City signs about half an hour before they were killed.

JMU's coming back to another school year, facing tragedy after junior Elizabeth Ness died early Tuesday morning.

People on campus are happy for the school year, but sad they have lost a fellow student.

“I'm still really excited to go to JMU, but I guess it gives you a different kind of perspective and makes you think a little bit more about the JMU community and how it will affect it as a whole,” said JMU freshman Sydney Sumner.

JMU spokesman, Don Egle, knows the community will come together yet again like it did after last year's deaths of several students and faculty members.

“The students supported one another, faculty and staff,” said Egle. “Everybody just continued to come closer and closer together. Really, together, we made it through those difficult times.”

Students have already started to remember Ness' legacy at JMU, including at a sorority house on campus.

Other students say Ness' death won't change how they have prepared to come to college.

“It's definitely concerning, a little bit freaky and scary, but it seems like it's just freak things, so I'm not too concerned or anything,” said JMU freshman Abby Floyd.

Egle said he hopes the JMU community will start the year without any more tragedy.

“We're a very supportive community; one that's there for each other, willing to support one another, encourage one another. During times like this, that's very important,” said Egle.