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January 20, 2022

Transmission Field Services Employee Rescues Man from Oncoming Train

On what Tom Harper described as a dark and foggy morning, he was not far from his home when he approached the railroad tracks in Gentry, Ark., he crosses each morning going to work. An expert on this route, Harper said it was a normal time of day to see trains speeding around the turn.

Knowing this, Harper acted quickly when he realized a distressed man was stuck on the tracks ahead, trying to move his minivan. His vehicle appeared to be wedged between the tracks, with the various devices he was using to try to free it loose strewn about. Harper said the man's wheels were spinning, but he did not seem to realize what a dangerous situation he was in at that moment.

"I approached and told him he was in a very dangerous situation, and he needed to get out of there immediately," said Harper, station crew supervisor for Transmission Field Services. "He asked if I could pull his vehicle back onto the roadway, so I quickly had him load up the items he was using to 'try to get unstuck' while I retrieved a tow-strap from my truck. He had been trying with a jack and other tools, but his wheels were still spinning about an inch over the track overhang." 

"While pulling his car back onto the roadway, I heard the train horn in the distance at the next crossroad, which is only about 3/4 mile away," jhe said. "I told him we needed to get him to safety immediately because the train was coming."

Harper got the man and his vehicle to safety just in the nick of time. "Within two minutes of getting him and his vehicle off the tracks safely, a train came blaring around the corner and through the crossing," Harper said. 

Harper, who has been with AEP for 14 years, was humble about the life-saving event. He stated that after the train passed, he asked the man if he was okay, and he was. He thanked Harper and they both went on their ways. This safe exit was made possible by Harper's quick-thinking, take-charge attitude under pressure and "See Something, Do Something" approach to his ordinary commute. Harper explained that this particular crossing was a true blind corner, with only about 200 yards of visual on each side of the crossing. Challenging to see for conductors in any conditions, on that foggy, dark morning, it would have been nearly impossible to see the man and his minivan.

Thomas Relph, station supervisor, said of Harper's heroic efforts, "Tom did a great job of thinking quickly and avoiding a very bad ending to the situation."

Bryan Skipper, station manager, said, "I would like to recognize Mr. Harper for stepping up. His quick action possibly saved someone's life, and their means of transportation."

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