19-year-old soldier killed in accident at Netanya train station

A 19-year-old soldier was killed in a train accident in Netanya on Wednesday.

The soldier was named as Yam Mesika, a resident of the northern city.

An initial investigation into the accident indicated Mesika fainted while waiting on a station platform and fell in front of an approaching passenger train.

Israel Railways said she had lost consciousness, fallen onto the tracks and been hit by a passing train.

First responders found Mesika unresponsive and attempted resuscitation efforts, but were forced to declare her death at the scene.

Mesika’s funeral was held on Wednesday evening in Netanya’s military cemetery.

Over 2,000 people attended the ceremony.

הלב נשבר הבוקר.
ים מסיקה, חיילת צה״ל, רק בת 20 קיפחה את חייה בנסיבות טרגיות.
שולחת תנחומי למשפחתה.
בעקבות התאונה הנחתי את מנכ"ל המשרד ויו״ר הרכבת להקים צוות מקצועי, לבחון ולהביא בפניי פתרונות שימנעו התקרבות אל הפסים עד לעצירה מוחלטת של הרכבת, בכדי למנוע מקרים דומים להתרחש. pic.twitter.com/DyHXWvzgtk

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— מירי רגב (@regev_miri) September 20, 2023

Mesika’s mother, Ariella, said, “Yam, I love you so much.”

“This girl over the years lit up my world,” she said, according to the Ynet news site.

“My dear little sister, my princess, where did you go?” Masika’s sister said at the funeral. “My beautiful sister, my world, give me strength. I love you, and we’ll meet again.”

Mesika is survived by her parents and three siblings.

The accident is under investigation.

Transportation Minister Miri Regev said she had instructed the ministry’s director-general to find ways to block access to tracks while trains are in motion “to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.”