Deborah Chiborak helped to save Winifred M. Lindsay from being struck by a train, Winnipeg, Manitoba, April 17, 2007. Lindsay, 89, was crossing a railroad track in her mobility scooter when one of the scooter’s wheels snagged. The scooter toppled, sending her to the pavement between the rails. With the scooter lying atop her, Lindsay was unable to get up. A passing motorist, Chiborak, 51, restaurant owner and operator, saw the accident. She had parked and started toward Lindsay when the crossing’s gates and bells were activated, indicating an approaching train, which was traveling on that track at about 35 m.p.h. As Chiborak leaned forward and grasped Lindsay, the driver of a city bus arrived and pulled the scooter off her. With the train bearing down on them, although in emergency braking, Chiborak and the bus driver pulled Lindsay from the track. Chiborak then fell beside the track, the front of the train passing them within seconds. The train continued for more than 600 feet before stopping. Lindsay was uninjured, but Chiborak suffered a strained back and required hospital treatment.
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