Family: Midshipman died in derailment

A cousin of U.S. Naval Academy midshipman Justin Zemser confirmed that he died aboard the Amtrak train that derailed in Philadelphia last night.

Reached by phone, the cousin said the family was grieving and not yet ready to speak with the media.

Zemser, 20, was a sophomore at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he played on the school's Sprint Football team.

A native of Rockaway Beach, N.Y., Zemser was on leave and on his way home when he died in the devastating crash that has claimed at least seven lives.

In a statement released to The Yeshiva World News, Zemser's parents said he was an only child and a loving son, nephew and cousin. They said Zemser was "community-minded" and was valedictorian of his high school class.

"This tragedy has shocked us in the worst way and we wish to spend this time grieving with our close family and friends," they wrote.

In a statement, the U.S. Naval Academy said it was supporting Zemser's family, friends and classmates.