AURORA, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Kane County Sheriff is praising a Good Samaritan in Aurora for rescuing a 72-year-old man from an incoming train by quickly pulling him out of his vehicle stuck on the train tracks.
Kane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the report of a car hit by a train at the BNSF Railroad Barnes Road crossing north of Prairie Street on Oct. 9 at approximately 8:30 p.m., according to a press release by the sheriff's office.
Upon arrival, police learned that the driver from Aurora had turned west from Barnes Road onto the railroad tracks and proceeded driving down the tracks with the vehicle’s wheels on the outside of the rails before the vehicle became lodged on top of the train tracks.
A nearby resident and good Samaritan was passing by and observed the vehicle stuck on the tracks with the tires spinning. The Samaritan left his vehicle on the side of the road and went to check on the driver, police said.
He found that the driver was apparently suffering from a medical issue and was unable to move. As the man called 911 for help, he saw a train coming in his direction.
The Samaritan unbuckled the driver and quickly pulled him out of the vehicle, ultimately tumbling down the side of the tracks just as the train collided with the vehicle, according to police.
Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain acknowledged the bravery of the good Samaritan.
“Every day, we see the people of Kane County doing charitable and even courageous things for one another," he said in a statement. "It is no surprise that one of our own sprang into action just in time to save another.”
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