An Ingersoll teenager killed by a Via train last Friday is being remembered as an "amazing young lady."
Brittany Bergsma, 18, was walking in the area of McKeand St. in Ingersoll when she was struck by the westbound passenger train on the CN tracks around 7:41pm. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Diagnosed at a very young age with Autism, Bergsma was in her final year in the special needs program at Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute, according to a GoFundMe page set up in her honour. The campaign was launched to raise money to cover the cost of Bergsma's funeral. By Monday afternoon, nearly $4,000 toward the $10,000 goal had been donated.
"She was an amazing young lady, with a passion for Disney, and like most teenagers, Snapchat filters," the fundraising page states.
Bergsma was a middle child, leaving behind an older sister and younger brother -- in addition to her mother and father.
Friends of the teen and her family have been expressing their sadness and condolences through the GoFundMe page.
"I will miss seeing her at the Ingersoll pool. Her smile was contagious," wrote one person.
"I had the pleasure of working with this beautiful soul for the past 3 years. Britt was the highlight of my lunch, always showing me things, telling me about her upcoming week, and always giving me a huge smile," stated another mourner.
Oxford OPP have said foul play is not suspected in Bergsma's death and the investigation has been turned over to CN police.
