Teresa R. Little saved Ann C. Murphy from being struck by a train, Chico, California, November 19, 1997. Ms. Murphy, 52, was attempting to cross a railroad track in her motorized wheelchair when the wheelchair became stuck in the crossing. A freight train was approaching at about 25 m.p.h. A motorist stopped at the crossing, Ms. Little, 34, school teacher, saw the train, then saw that Ms. Murphy remained on the track. Ms. Little ran to her and, standing between the rails of the track, tried to free the wheelchair, the train then about 1,500 feet away. Unable to dislodge the chair, Ms. Little ran to a point in front of it and released the straps securing Ms. Murphy. The train’s crew, meanwhile, had activated its emergency brakes. Ms. Little grasped Ms. Murphy, pulled her from the wheelchair, and dragged her away from the track. When they had gone about 15 feet, the train’s lead locomotive struck the wheelchair, propelling it 30 feet.
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