Woman Killed by SEPTA Train Was Penn Student
40th Street Station on the Market Frankford Line. Photo | Mtruch via CC BY-SA 3.0,
Around 7 a.m. this morning, a woman was pronounced dead at the 40th street SEPTA station after being struck by an oncoming train on the Market-Frankford line. In an email to Wharton undergraduates from Vice Dean Lori Rosenkopf, the victim has been identified as 21-year-old University of Pennsylvania student Ao “Olivia” Kong, according to The Daily Pennsylvanian.
Kong, a junior at the Wharton School, was a member of Penn’s business fraternity, Phi Gamma Nu, and its service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. She grew up in Philadelphia and had attended Central High.
Penn President Amy Gutmann and Provost Vincent Price sent an email to staff informing them of a student’s death. “We are deeply saddened to report that a Penn undergraduate student was struck and killed this morning by a SEPTA train at the 40th Street Station,” the email said. “She was a bright, well-liked and successful member of our junior class. We have been in contact with her family and have conveyed our deepest sympathies to them at this very sad and tragic time.”
This morning, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch told Philly Mag that no foul play had been involved in the victim’s death. Now, 6ABC reports that Philadelphia police say that the woman jumped in front of the train. However, police could not confirm why she jumped.
“University officials are currently reaching out to [Kong’s] friends on campus to provide support,” Gutmann and Price’s email said. The email also listed several resources for students and faculty seeking support.
“When grieving this sort of tragic loss, all members of our campus community are encouraged to call upon the significant University resources that are available when support is needed,” the email read. “Below are just some of the places that those in the Penn community can contact if they need support.”
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Penn Student Resources:
- University HELP Line: 215-898-HELP
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): 215-898-7021, 215-349-5490 (Nights and weekends. Ask for CAPS counselor on call.)
- University Chaplain’s Office: 215-898-8456
- Student Health Service:215-746-3535
- Division of Public Safety Special Services 24/7 Hotline: 215-898-6600
- Office of the Vice Provost for University Life/Student Intervention Services: 215-898-6081
- College Houses and Academic Services: 215-898-5551
School Advising and Student Affairs Offices:
- Annenberg School for Communication: 215-573-6349
- College of Arts and Sciences: 215-898-6341 (Undergraduate) or 215-898-7577 (Graduate School)
- Dental School: 215-898-4550
- School of Design: 215-898-6210
- School of Engineering and Applied Science: 215-898-7246
- Graduate School of Education: 215-898-7019
- Law School: 215-898-7491
- Perelman School of Medicine: 215-898-7190
- School of Nursing: 215-898-6687
- School of Social Policy and Practice: 215-746-5895
- School of Veterinary Medicine: 215-898-3525
- Wharton 215-898-7613 (Undergraduate) or 215-573-5756 (Graduate School)
- College of Liberal and Professional Studies 215-898-7326
