A rare pact: Teens’ double suicide ahead of speeding train rocks Pa. town; a friend backed out

A rare pact: Teens’ double suicide rocks Pa. town

NORWOOD, Pa. — Experts say suicide pacts like the one that ended in two teenagers’ deaths in Pennsylvania last week are extremely uncommon — especially among teens.

Gina Gentile (jen-TILL’-ee) and Vanessa Dorwart died after they were hit by a high-speed train at the Norwood rail station in suburban Philadelphia.

There were hints the pretty and popular sophomores may have been suffering from depression.

Florida State University psychology professor Thomas Joiner says such pacts are made because suicide is so daunting — and that they are broken for the same reason.

Norwood police say a third girl backed out of the pact at the last minute.