Men save life when train splits semi

CLYMERS, Ind. (WLFI) - One Cass County man never thought he'd need his first aid certification, but now he says he'll never let it lapse.

A train crash Tuesday afternoon was so violent that it completely ripped the cab from the semi it struck. The truck was split in half across Main Street and Vandalia in Clymers, and its load of corn was spilled across the tracks. Amazingly, the quick action of some locals allowed the driver, Arnold Brandt of Winamac, to survive.

The tremendous noise the collision caused alerted nearby residents and Good Samaritans Michael Wallace and Jared Russell.

"I heard the Triple Crown coming through. He blew the whistle eight to 10 times - which is unusual for a Triple Crown - and I heard a big boom," said Wallace.

As soon as they realized what had taken place, the men sprang into action.

"I knew a semi got hit by a train," said Russell. "First thing I thought was 'Where was the guy?' and 'Will he be O.K.?' So I rushed to the scene."

Wallace and Russell soon found the semi driver, but not in his truck. The crash had thrown Brandt from the semi cab. After he hit the ground, more debris from the crash had fallen on top of him.

"All we saw was the arm," said Wallace. "We threw three to four railroad ties off him. We stabilized his neck and applied pressure to the gash on his forehead."

In spite of their quick action, the men weren't unintimidated by the situation.

"Didn't think he was breathing until we got the ties off him," said Russell.

The men's help sustained Brandt until emergency workers could arrive. Brandt was currently listed in fair condition at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana Wednesday morning but his condition worsened by Wednesday afternoon and he is now listed in serious condition.

Though the railroad crossing lacks a signal or a barrier, it's not clear why the truck was in the crossing when the train arrived. Police suggested that Brandt may have stalled there.

Police believe Brandt was trying to get out of his truck and off the tracks when he heard the horn signaling the train's approach.

Tragedy was avoided this time, but neighbors said the stop signs currently marking the tracks may not be enough to warn drivers. They believe railroad arms are needed.

"This is a heavily traveled area for trains." said Wallace. "They come here 20, 30, a night."

"They usually move pretty fast through here," said Russell.

In addition to the speed and the frequency of the trains, the pair also said that visibility is poor and the whistles or horns the trains use to signal their approach are often not audible until the train is very close.

"And then it's too late, like the guy found out," said Wallace.

Randy Pryor of the Indiana State Police agreed that the area could be dangerous and urged drivers to exercise caution by coming to a stop and looking carefully down the track before continuing.

Russell said he learned his lesson from this experience; he'll always keep his first aid certifications current.

"I was calm," said Russell. "I knew what to do. I'm just glad I took those classes."

The training paid off by saving a life.