The U.S. Naval Academy’s superintendent says the midshipman who died in an Amtrak train derailment was a talented and highly respected young man with a tremendously bright future.

Vice Adm. Walter “Ted” Carter said in a statement on Thursday that he and his wife Lynda are joining the Brigade of Midshipmen, staff and faculty in mourning the loss of Midshipman Justin Zemser.

Zemser was a 20-year-old sophomore at the academy. He was an English major and an academic honor student. Zemser was a member of the Navy sprint football team, the Jewish Midshipman Club and the Semper Fi Society, which is a Marine Corps club.

Zemser, of Rockaway Beach, New York, was one of seven people who were killed in the derailment Tuesday night in Philadelphia.

(AP)