Douglas Robert Peterson saved Lela A. Schroyer from being struck by a train, Maple Park, Illinois, March 22, 2004. Schroyer, 90, was trapped inside her car, which was straddling a railroad track after it struck a train on the adjacent track. Peterson, 59, disabled machinist, saw the car and reported it, then, investigating, found Schroyer inside. As he was attempting to remove her through the driver’s doorway, Peterson saw a freight train approaching on the same track, traveling about 65 m.p.h. He resumed his efforts at removing Schroyer by leaning into the car, grasping her by a leg and an arm, and pulling on her. They fell to the ballast as the train bore down at slightly diminished speed, its brakes and horn applied by the engineer. Regaining his footing, Peterson moved Schroyer to the other track as the train struck the car and took it 240 feet down the track. Schroyer was hospitalized two weeks for treatment of broken ribs and bruises. She recovered.
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