Help, a friend's daughter died on RR tracks
They both attended my daughter's wedding in Lubbock TX two years ago; I attended the daughter's wedding 3 months ago in Marfa, TX. I told her I love her, will be there for her (I'm in southern New Mexico) anytime and that my porch, which she recently 'lived' in for 3 weeks when she wanted to get away, was hers. I send loving prayers & good vibes of comfort, but really, what can I say? What can I do? I can't sleep. Please, DU friends, what has ever helped you when there is no such thing as help?
"Melaney Parker Rayburn, age 27, was struck and killed by a train early Thursday morning (August 8), near Russell Street in Marfa. She was living and working in Marfa. She has family throughout West Texas, and earlier this summer she married John Rayburn in Alpine at Kokernot Lodge.
Tom Michael of KRTS spoke with Robert Halpern of the Big Bend Sentinel, who reported on the incident, and with Raquel Espinoza, a spokesperson for the Union Pacific Railroad. The company said the engineer, operating an eastbound freight train, sounded the train horn. The railroad has opened an investigation, and so has local law enforcement. Audio from this report is attached above.
Melaney graduated with honors from the University of Chicago, in 2008, with a degree in sociology. According to family members, she was most proud of her service in the U.S. Peace Corps, from 2008 to 2010, because she was able to serve her country. When she returned to the area in 2011, she worked as a tutor for Karen Bernstein’s son, Mateo. Bernstein said, “With a sociology degree from the University of Chicago she was obviously way over-qualified to be a tutor for Mateo, but there was never a hint of displeasure or frustration.”
http://marfapublicradio.org/blog/woman-in-marfa-struck-and-killed-by-train-thursday-morning/
= new reply since forum marked as read
What a terrible way to die.
There isn't much you can do. Just be sure the family knows you are there to help in any way possible...Meals, shopping, anything.
I am so very sorry.
That's utterly horrible. Sadly there's little you can do except what others here have suggested. Be there for them and support them emotionally. All that can really help in a case like this is time, as painful and callous as that might sound. Hugs and vibes being sent your way!
One note I will add. As difficult as it may be, and as cold as it may sound, try not to get too pulled into this yourself emotionally. You have to look after yourself here too! I know you are very very distraught and saddened by the event, as you should be. But be careful of letting the disaster become yours as well as theirs. Otherwise you will end up harming yourself more than is necessary!
I think you've known loss before, and you know what you do is put one foot in front of the other and go on. Mental health resources can be a big help, as can having a strong support system of friends and family and spiritual counselors and whatever else you find helpful in difficult tmes.
We get by with the help of our friends.
Nothing much to add to what others here have said so beautifully. What you can do is take good care of yourself and be there for your friends. Some day you will only remember the good times; be grateful that you were there for her wedding to tell her you love her, and that you were there for her when she needed a place to get away to. Try to hold onto those thoughts. 
May John find some comfort in his memories of his loving wife and friend.
May your porch always be there and available in loving honor and tribute to Melaney and a life well lived.
May the circle be unbroken.
