Joe M. Guzman, 41, railroad station trucker, saved Paul Begay, 18, from being killed by a train, Gallup, New Mexico, October 4, 1960. Begay, in a dazed condition, walked across a railroad station platform toward the track on which a passenger train was approaching at a speed of 10 miles an hour. From a platform at the opposite side of the track, Guzman saw Begay and shouted warnings to him. Begay did not heed his warnings and continued moving toward the track as the train approached to within 60 feet of him. Running six feet to the edge of the platform, Guzman stepped onto the uneven ballast of cinders and into the path of the oncoming train, which then was 30 feet away and still traveling at the same speed. Guzman continued rapidly across the track to the opposite platform and threw one arm forcibly against the chest of Begay, who was in the path of the engine’s side projection. Both Guzman and Begay fell on the platform, just clearing the engine as it passed at undiminished speed and stopped 200 feet beyond them.
45339 – 4450
45339-4450