A 16-year-old was fatally struck by a train Wednesday afternoon while walking on the side of railroad tracks in Leesville.

Police Chief Beth Westlake said the boy had been listening to music playing on headphones he had been wearing and it is believed he did not hear the train approaching from behind.

“The train was unable to stop prior to making contact with the young man,” Westlake said in an emailed statement to the American Press.

Westlake said the boy was struck in the area of South 3rd Street and was pronounced dead at the scene.