Car Stuck on Tracks as Train Speeds Toward Them. One Man Stops Family's Death
Ask literally any motorist, and you’re likely to hear some of the same answers. There are just certain hot-button topics that cause other drivers to shake their heads in exasperated frustration.
Leaving high beams on bright, to blind oncoming traffic — that’s a major contender. So is taking two spaces in a parking lot, or driving too slowly in the passing lane.
Most of these objectionable behaviors range from mildly inconvenient to utterly annoying. But there’s one action that’s downright dangerous for everyone involved.
Time and again, safety professionals remind drivers to avoid this awful decision at all costs. And time and again, somebody decides to ignore the warnings.
It involves pulling up and around the crossing barriers when an oncoming train is approaching. And a recent Reddit video proves that failing to heed clear signals puts passenger lives at the mercy of others.
The short one-minute snippet in question was shot by an incredulous nearby motorist. It shows cars waiting in line, while crossing lights flash and striped bars block the tracks.
It also shows one driver in a dark SUV directly in the path of destruction. Apparently worried about scratching the vehicle’s paint, this motorist simply refuses to try easing around the barriers.
This leads to an incredibly tense, multi-point pattern of turns, shifts, and shimmies as the train bears down on the family. At one point, the harried driver maneuvers the SUV completely parallel with the tracks while onlookers look on in helpless disbelief.
But if you watch the video closely, you’ll see that a savior arrives around 1:38.
He appears to be a railroad employee in an orange vest, and he emerges from the yellow tower at the left.
Initially, he stands watching carefully as he speaks into some type of mobile device. Then, when the car appears completely incapacitated at around 2:08, he frantically sprints down the steps.
The observing motorist anxiously continues filming, as the station agent barrels across the tracks and reaches the gates at around 2:14.
The staffer hurls the striped arm up and out of the way, allowing the SUV to escape this perilous situation in the nick of time.
Less than 10 seconds, and the selfless intervention of a total stranger — that’s what made the difference between life and death this particular time around.
The takeaway? Give thanks that noble and quick-thinking individuals like this uniformed gentleman exist.
But also, remember that this type of terrible decision tends to endanger multiple lives. Warnings, guard rails, and flashing colored lights exist for a reason — so always heed them carefully.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
