POLICE SEEK CLUES IN TRAIN ACCIDENT

GRAND TOWER, Ill. -- A Grand Tower teen-ager was killed when he was struck by a train near Grand Tower early Wednesday.

Jesse C. Choate, 17, was struck by the train at the Big Muddy River Levee Road-Union Pacific Railroad crossing in Jackson County about 12:45 a.m.

Choate was pronounced dead at the scene by Jackson County Coroner Thomas W. Kupferer.

An investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff's Department revealed no foul play. The investigation is continuing with help by Illinois State Police and the Gorham Police Department.

It was not immediately known why the youth was in the area. Choate's vehicle was found near the crossing.

Choate, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Choate of Grand Tower, was a senior at Shawnee High School.

Students at the Wolf Lake school were shocked by his death, said the principal.

"He was a popular young man," said the principal Gary Hill. "He was well known."

Choate was a member of the school baseball team and played basketball last season.

By late Wednesday, no plans had been made for a memorial service at the school. "Everything is still up in the air," said Hill.

Counseling was made available to students, he said.