Elm Grove Accident and Heroism

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

An Elm Grove police officer and a 46-year-old West Allis man remained in surgery Monday afternoon after suffering serious injuries when both worked to free the man's wife and children from a minivan in the path of an oncoming train in the seconds before the vehicle was struck.

Monday's crash remains under investigation by Elm Grove Police, where Chief Jim Gage said his officer's actions were hailed by witnesses at the scene as heroic.

"I have to say that that officer saved that woman's life," said Karen Gray-Hoehn, who was in the line of traffic along Juneau Boulevard as the village was preparing for the annual Memorial Day parade. "He pulled her out in the seconds before that train hit that car. It was an amazing thing to watch - his bravery in doing that and the whole fact in how quickly that stuff happens. It's within seconds."

Gage said a 40-year-old West Allis woman was driving the minivan with two toddlers and an infant inside when she became stuck in eastbound traffic on the tracks in the 13600 block of Juneau Blvd. about 9:40 a.m. Her husband was in a vehicle behind her as the railroad gates began to lower, signaling the oncoming CP Railroad train.

The officer, who was on traffic duty at the time, and the woman's husband, were able to get the female driver and the two toddlers out of the van safely. As they worked to get the infant out, who was strapped into a car seat, the train struck the minivan.

Both the officer and father were injured. The officer was taken by a Flight for Life helicopter to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa. The father was taken to the same hospital by ambulance.

I'm praying for the officer and the father, and their families.

Of course, the father would do everything he could to save his wife and children. I'd expect him to be willing to sacrifice his life for them.

Think of what the officer did. He risked his life for strangers. Truly heroic.

This is important:

CAUTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN AT RAILROAD TRACKS. NEVER STOP ON THE TRACKS.

I understand that there was a line of traffic. In that case, wait until you can safely cross the tracks. Don't put yourself in a position where you could become trapped.