Alec D. Turney, 36, locomotive fireman, saved Scott A. Stephenson, 7, from being struck by a train, Ashland, Wisconsin, January 4, 1966. Scott was midway the ends of a single-track railroad trestle 175 feet long when a freight train approached at 15 m.p.h. The trestle, which spanned a ravine 50 feet deep, had no guardrails. When the train rounded a curve just before reaching the trestle, the engineer saw Scott and applied emergency brakes. He and the other trainmen, including Turney, knew that the train could not stop short of Scott who lay prone facing the train beside the rail. Turney stepped from the cab and, holding to guardrails, descended snow-covered steps at the side of the engine. He stepped onto a steel footboard which was icy, held to a handrail above it, and knelt on one knee as the engine approached to within 12 feet of Scott at about 10 m.p.h. With the brakes locked and the wheels sliding, the engine was bucking somewhat. Turney extended one hand toward Scott, who had risen to his knees. As the train reached Scott, Turney grasped him and lifted him from the track. Turney remained kneeling holding Scott aloft with one hand, until the train stopped after traveling 100 farther.
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