A Naval Academy midshipman was one of the six passengers killed in Tuesday night's Amtrak crash in north Philadelphia, the school announced Wednesday.

In a speech Wednesday at Annapolis, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus identified him as Midshipman 3rd Class Justin Zemser. said the midshipman was a sophomore.

"I know that the brigade and the Navy family is struggling with this, and our thoughts go out to the brigade, family brigade for losing such a crucial member of this institution," Mabus told the audience of midshipmen.

Emergency personnel gather Wednesday in North Philadelphia at the scene of a deadly train derailment. A midshipman aboard the New York-bound Amtrak train was one of six passengers killed Tuesday night.

Photo Credit: Mel Evans/AP

Zemser The mid was on leave and was headed to his home of record at the time of the crash. Zemser, a sophomore, was from Rockaway Beach, N.Y. and played sprint football, according to his Navy sports bio.

Justin Zemser

Photo Credit: Navy Sports

Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.

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