David Matthews attempted to save Anthony D. Weeks from being struck by a train, Weston, Idaho, October 16, 1993. Weeks, 24, was the driver of a pickup truck that, at night, became stuck on a railroad track. Matthews, 26, an off-duty deputy sheriff who had been traveling in the area, alerted authorities. Matthews then became aware that a train, traveling at 79 m.p.h., was approaching on the track. He got out of his vehicle, went to the truck, and opened its passenger door. With the train bearing down on him, Matthews went to the driver’s side of the truck and opened that door just moments before the train, then in emergency braking, struck the truck, knocking it off the track. Weeks was found nearby; although injured, he survived. Matthews, who had been thrown from the track, was hospitalized in critical condition and required surgery for severe injuries.
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