John 0. Johnson, 17, schoolboy,, saved Nancy A. Rieland, 2, from being struck by a train, Melrose, Minnesota, June 9, 1965. Near a railroad crossing Nancy sat against the rail of a track on which a passenger train was approaching at 50 miles an hour. Johnson was driving past and saw Nancy. As the crossing warning signals began operating, Johnson alighted from his automobile. He ran a total of 50 feet over the pavement, intervening ground, and another track. Moving into the path of the train, Johnson continued running to Nancy, who sat with her back to him. The train then was 75 feet away and approaching at undiminished speed. Momentarily breaking his stride, Johnson took hold of Nancy and lifted her from the ties. With Nancy in his arms he stepped over the rail and ran from the track, clearing the path of the train when it was within 40 feet of them. The train passed and did not stop.
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