POTSDAM POLICE CHIEF KEVIN BATES GAVE US THE INFORMATION ON WOOD'S RULING, AS THE RESULT OF AN AUTOPSY PERFORMED SUNDAY NIGHT ON THE BODY OF 20-YEAR-OLD SHANITH SAMARASEKERA.  THE STUDENT FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA WAS FOUND DECEASED IN THE WATER OF THE RACQUETTE RIVER NEAR THE TRESTLE OFF SANDSTONE DRIVE LATE SUNDAY MORNING.

THE SEARCH FOR SAMARASEKERA BEGAN AFTER A CALL TO POLICE ABOUT 1:40 SUNDAY MORNING, FOR A REPORT OF SOMEBODY STRUCK BY A TRAIN. A WITNESS REPORTED THE VICTIM APPEARED TO BE A COLLEGE-AGED MALE; THAT PERSON TURNED OUT TO BE SAMARASEKERA.

CHIEF BATES TOLD US THE FATALITY IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. BATES CONFIRMED THAT SAMARASEKERA, INDEED WAS STRUCK BY THE TRAIN. BATES TOLD US TOXICOLOGY ON SAMARASEKERA, TO DETERMINE WHAT, IF ANY SUBSTANCES MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN IN HIS BODY AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH, WOULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS