Merland J. Bennett saved Robert McKenzie from being killed by a train, Ottawa, Ontario, February 14, 1961. Robert, 3, wandered onto a railroad crossing and stood between the rails of a track on which a train was approaching at 12 m.p.h. From the station platform Bennett, 36, railroad switch tender, saw Robert when the train was about 400 feet from him. Shouting warnings, Bennett ran toward Robert, who moved from the crossing 130 feet away onto the snow covered roadbed, but still remained between the rails. Bennett ran over the icy pavement of the crossing and stepped onto the track at a point about 110 feet ahead of the train. At that time the engineer saw Robert and Bennett and sounded the whistle but did not apply the brakes. Robert then fell between the rails to almost prone position. Bennett ran on the track ahead of the train and reached Robert. He tried to take hold of Robert’s clothing but missed. On his second at tempt be grasped Robert by his jacket and lifted him into his arms. Bennett jumped from the track with Robert as the locomotive approached to within 30 feet of them. The train passed at undiminished speed.
45604 – 4486
45604-4486