Visiting UMass student hit, killed by train

By OWEN BOSS and NICK GRABBE Staff Writers

Published on September 18, 2009

Staff at the University of Massachusetts helped students on campus cope with the death Sept. 10 of a UMass student who died when he was struck by a train in Leverett.

The student was identified as Peter Boutarel, 19, a sophomore political science and philosophy major from Dax, France, who lived in Baker dormitory in the campus' Central living area, according to the UMass News Office.

There was no indication of foul play, and the medical examiner has not yet performed an autopsy, said Renee Steese, Northwestern first assistant district attorney. She declined to comment on whether the death was accidental or might be a suicide.

Steese said Boutarel's relatives have been notified, she said.

The news of Boutarel's death came as a shock to UMass juniors Elliot Sicard and Mark Gazo, both of whom also live in Baker but said they didn't know Boutarel personally.

"We've only been here for about a week, so we didn't know him," Sicard said. "All that I can say is that I am totally shocked."

Boutarel attended UMass last year and lived in Webster Hall in the Orchard Hill living area, according to campus officials.

Daniel Fitzgibbons, a spokesman in the university's news office, said a campus-wide email went out Friday with news of Boutarel's death, advising students who may need assistance in dealing with his death to contact the dean of students office.

"The death of any member of our community is a loss to everyone. We particularly extend our deepest sympathy to Peter's family and friends. Times like these remind us how fragile life is, and how, as a caring community, we need to reach out and support one another as we each deal with this loss in our own ways."