Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsThursday, October 18, 2007 1:06 PM CDT
Comments Comments (6) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
Woman pulled from RR tracks just in time
By Associated Press
Advertisement

GREER, S.C. -- A woman whose car got stuck on railroad tracks was rescued by a police officer moments before an Amtrak train carrying 180 passengers smashed into the vehicle.

"I do think that he was a godsend," Betsy DeVall said in a story published Wednesday in The Greenville News. "I would be in a body bag in a million pieces."

No major injuries were reported.

Greer Police Sgt. Marcus O'Shields said he was parked nearby when saw DeVall turn onto the tracks early Tuesday. DeVall appeared to be lost, and she was on her cell phone trying to get directions to a friend's house, he said.

Another officer told O'Shields by radio that a train was coming, but DeVall could not move the car.

"About the same time is when I heard the train coming and I started to coaxing the driver and telling her we need to get out of the vehicle, we need to get off these tracks," O'Shields told CNN Wednesday. "At first, I don't think she realized what type of danger she was actually in until the train actually struck her vehicle."

Amtrak engineer Scott Lynch was going about 72 mph when he saw tail lights and O'Shields waving a flashlight, according to a police report. Lynch applied the emergency brakes, but could not stop the train in time.

A video from a dashboard camera in O'Shields' cruiser showed DeVall's car bursting into flames as the train pushed it down the tracks.

Two people on the train were treated with oxygen and one person suffered an injured knee, according to Amtrak spokeswoman Tracy Connell.

The train was delayed for 5 1/2 hours, then continued its journey from New Orleans to New York City.

Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 6 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Question wrote on Oct 18, 2007 8:13 AM:

" Was there old time-y piano music playing as she was rescued off the tracks? "

ya...think about it. wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:06 PM:

" ALL RR tracks Ive seen have signs. She better get an eye exam. "

Think about this wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:34 PM:

" If you can't tell you are on RR tracks, you should not be driving!!!! "

Think About It wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:33 PM:

" if you are familiar with 66, where the track lines run alongside the road. If you are lost, and turn onto a side road you may not realize you are sitting over tracks - you just pulled over to get directions. It was obviously dark. "

why does she have a license wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:09 PM:

" Take away her license! Who stops on railroad tracks to call for directions??? "

?? wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:06 PM:

" How old was this woman, and what was she thinking?! "
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Top of Page | Home | News | Sports | Free Time | Life | Money | Nation/World | Opinion | Blogs/Columns | Archives | Site Map | RSS
Weather | Calendar | Obituaries | Classifieds | Jobs | Autos | Homes | Rentals | Coupons
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2009, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy