A trooper with the Arizona Department of Public Safety saved an unresponsive driver moments before a train struck the vehicle, the department said.
Henry Roanhorse, based in northeastern Arizona, was heading home after his shift when he saw the vehicle on the railroad tracksย in McKinley County, New Mexico.
He found an unconscious man still in his seatbelt when he approached. A strong odor of alcohol was also present within the vehicle, according to the news release.
As Roanhorse was releasing the driver from the vehicle, the railroad crossing arms activated and he saw a BNSF Railway train rapidly approaching their location.
The trooper quickly pulled the nearly 300-pound male from the driver's seat, lowered him to the ground and pulled him by his feet away from the tracks.
The driver was fighting against Roanhorse pulling him when he regained consciousness, unaware of the danger, the release said.
While Roanhorse was pulling the driver about 25 feet away, he heard a screeching sound from the train trying to stop before hitting the vehicle.
The vehicle traveled approximately 150 feet away from the tracks due to the collision.ย
The driver, identified as 56-year-old Sampson Whitegoat, thanked the trooper for saving his life after the incident.ย
