(Rome) -  It was a train that struck and killed 21 year old John Durkin of Rye Beach while he was studying in Rome. 

According to an Italian news agency, the Bates College student and football player was struck Thursday morning.  Friends last saw the young man early Wednesday at Sloppy Sam's Bar in Rome.  His family flew there to identify the young man, who was found in a tunnel.  Bates College President Clayton Spencer called the death a time of deep sadness for our community and for so many people who knew and loved John.  At the time he was studying abroad through a Trinity College program, based in Connecticut.  Two years ago, Troy Pappas, of Eliot, Maine, another Bates College football player, fell to his death from a stairway at the Maine college.

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