Rescue

MA Firefighters Pull Men Out of Way of Train

Feb. 7, 2020

Two Ashland firefighters saved several men from an oncoming train when their car became stuck between the gates on the railroad tracks near their fire station Thursday night.

By Norman Miller

Source MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, Mass.

Two Ashland, MA, firefighters pulled several men out of the way of an oncoming train after their car became stuck Thursday night.

ASHLAND, MA—Two Ashland firefighters are being credited with saving several men's lives on Thursday after pulling them out of the way of an oncoming commuter rail train on Main Street.

Firefighters Morgan Hunter and John Crean pulled the men out of the way when their car got stuck between the gates on the tracks on Main Street near the fire station around 6:48 p.m., police Chief Vincent Alfano said.

"They deserve a lot of credit, because one of the gentleman in the car was trying to flag down the train and it wasn't working," said Alfano. "No one was injured, thank God. If someone was in the car, it would be much worse."

It is not known why the men drove their car onto the tracks, Alfano said. It is not known if there were three or four men in the car, the chief said.

Just before 9 p.m., the train finally left Ashland with some riders aboard, police said. The MBTA, in a tweet, said "outbound trains are proceeding first through the Ashland area as one of the track is being inspected."

Firefighters made the initial call to the police after seeing the car get stuck on the tracks. They initially called the MBTA to see if they could stop the oncoming train, but it was too late. The men got out of their car, but were still behind the gate when the train was about to hit the car. The firefighters grabbed the men and pulled them away from the train, preventing them from being hurt, Alfano said.

The train was on its way to Worcester.

The train pushed the car approximately 100 yards and continued on an additional 75 yards before coming to the stop. Alfano said the car is too damaged to tell what kind of car it is.

Many of the train passengers are waiting in the Ashland police and fire stations. The MBTA is trying to arrange alternate travel plans for the passengers. Several are calling for their own rides and Alfano said police contacted local cab companies to make them aware just in case any of the passengers wanted to use a cab.

Main Street near the train crossing is closed due to the crash. The MBTA Police are on scene investigating, Alfano said.

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