U.S. Military Academy Cadet 4th Class John E. Heinmiller, 19, of Eden Prairie, Minn., died early Sunday morning when a northbound Amtrak train struck him at the Metro-North Rail Station in Garrison, N.Y.

Metropolitan Transit Authority press secretary Tom Kelly said Monday that Heinmiller and another cadet were waiting on the platform for a taxi to take them back to the academy when the apparent accident occurred.

Kelly said when Metro-North personnel noticed someone on the tracks, "the train operator took immediate action by applying the brakes and sounding the horn" but was unable to stop in time.

He added that the train was not scheduled to stop in Garrison.

The MTA and the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division are continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.

Heinmiller was a member of the Army hockey team’s junior varsity. He appeared in one game with the varsity this season against Union.

"This year he played mostly on the JV, but we kind of knew that he would develop into a very good player and particularly a very good leader ...," Army hockey coach Rob Riley said Monday.

The six-foot, one-inch, 200-pound Heinmiller was working hard this off-season in an attempt to make the varsity in 2001-2002, he said.

"He was a real focused and committed kid," Riley said.

USMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Daniel W. Christman issued a condolence message Monday.

"His belief in the ideals of the Corps and its motto of Duty, Honor, Country were hallmarks of his performance," Christman stated in the message.