A South Point High School student listening to a portable audio device was struck and killed by a train that he apparently never heard coming from behind him Monday afternoon.

Joshua Lee Phillips, also known as Joshua Lee Phillips White, 16, of 347 Mayflower Ave., was listening to his MP3 player while walking home from school, according to Cramerton Police Chief Greg Ratchford.

"There are no indications that Phillips was ever aware the train was approaching him from behind. Norfolk Southern (Railway) personnel aboard the train stated that Phillips never acknowledged the train's horn or bell," Ratchford said in a press release.

The incident occurred about 4:30 p.m. on the railroad trestle near North Main Street in Cramerton. Police and firefighters rushed to the scene. Gaston Emergency Medical Services called for air transport, but the request was soon called off, said John Foulk, shift supervisor with the Belmont Fire Department. The teenager was killed on impact.

Investigators combed the tracks the length of the train searching for evidence. The train engineer called in the collision and said the teen had been walking the tracks alone, Foulk said.

Nearby, drivers were rerouted around the area just approaching the bridge crossing the South Fork River. Many called out to Cramerton police on the scene to find out details.

Onlookers stood on the bridge and on their porches as TV helicopter crews flew overhead.