A quiet, peaceful morning in Palmyra on Aug. 8 was shattered when a Palmyra High School three-sport athlete headed to soccer practice.
While crossing the tracks at Chestnut and Broad streets, 15-year-old Matthew James Dickinson was struck and killed by a northbound River Line train. Well-liked by his teammates and classmates, his tragic death broke the hearts of many Palmyra and Riverton residents who placed red ribbons at the school, around the soccer field, all along Broad Street and at their homes in his memory.
Many of those ribbons are still visible.
And more recently, on Oct. 14, a train operator was killed and 23 others injured after the train hit a fallen tree on the tracks near the Roebling Station in Mansfield Township on the River Line prompting more safety concerns.
Residents may be able to get some answers about the line’s safety during a meeting open to the public on Tuesday, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Community Center, 30 W. Broad St. State Sen. Troy Singleton and NJ Transit executives will address the train line’s service reliability as well as public and pedestrian safety.
“No words can take away the shared grief and pain that the Dickinson family, Matthew’s friends, and the Palmyra community continue to experience after Matthew’s tragic death,” Singleton said. “However, the way that this community and neighboring towns came together to support the Dickinson family was extraordinary and demonstrative of how loved and adored Matthew was.
When he learned of Dickinson’s death, Singleton asked NJ Transit to explore options for increased pedestrian safety along the River Line, such as more fencing and lower speed limits, and to educate the community. The meeting will include a presentation by NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett and other executive staff, followed by public comment.
“The River Line is the only rail service that serves commuters in this region, so when it has service disruptions or commuters don’t feel safe, there are simply no other alternatives,” Singleton explained. “I thank NJ Transit for their willingness to participate in this meeting. I also encourage riders and residents to attend so they can share their experiences directly.”
There are 11 River Line stations in the county and special patrols and prisoner transport assistance will occur in the following towns: Bordentown City, Bordentown Township, Florence, Burlington City, Burlington Township, Beverly, Delanco, Edgewater Park, Delran, Riverside, Riverton, Cinnaminson and Palmyra.
The senator said the public session represents a commitment to address River Line issues.
“For the past several summers, I have held the agency accountable for its track record,” he noted. “This July, I wrote a letter calling for accountability for the repeated delays and cancellations that negatively impacted the commutes of thousands of residents that rely on the River Line in their daily lives.
Singleton also spearheaded and secured funding for a new partnership between the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office and local police departments to deter crime with increased patrols and provide assistance with transporting suspects.
For residents of Palmyra and Riverton, the red bows remind the community of the young, vibrant spirit of Matthew Dickinson. His family has created a GoFundMe page that states: “The outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and the community has been nothing short of amazing. Many have requested ways to support the family, therefore this page has been created.
“All contributions will go directly to the family and their wishes to honor Matthew in the years to come.”
The link to donate is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-mathews-family-keep-his-legacy-alive.
