Eagle Scout rescued Amtrak passengers before 1st responders arrived [Tacoma, WA]

WND ^ | Art Moore

[Rio]

Dan Konzelman was driving with his girlfriend southbound on Interstate 5, south of Tacoma, Washington, Monday morning when, to his astonishment, he saw an Amtrak train go off an overpass ahead of him and crash onto the busy freeway.

While most of the stunned onlookers in nearby automobiles stayed in place, no doubt making 9-1-1 calls for help, Konzelman – an Eagle Scout – took a nearby exit and ran to the scene. He and his girlfriend, Alicia Hoverson, found that first-responders had not yet arrived.

The two climbed into one of the train cars, noting only a few of the train cars were still on the track and the other eight or so had derailed, with one lodged on top of automobiles on the interstate. “We went through the trains one at a time, made sure people were stable. If they could move, we got them out. Some of them couldn’t move. They had back or neck injuries, so we assigned people to stay with them and keep them calm.

[Rio]

Eagle Scouts Rock!

[American Quilter]

Great story!

[DesertRhino]

Great story, and very dangerous! No fuel in those cars to explode, but a crashed passenger train is also basically a downed power line. All kinds of high power energized stuff there...

[Bon of Babble]

Wonderful story - restores my faith in people.

My son was a Boy Scout, never made it to Eagle Scout, but I have no doubt he would do the same thing.

[Ronaldus Magnus III]

Reminds me of many commie countries that either outlaw Scouting, or take it over to espouse their insanity. I can just imagine a leftist Creepozoid asking if this Eagle Scout had a permit to assist.

[Blue Jays]

"...Eagle Scout..."

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Count me as impressed. Dangerous business of continued sliding, fire, or electrical shock. Brave kid.

[70times7]

... a crashed passenger train is also basically a downed power line. All kinds of high power energized stuff there...

I believe that these were diesel powered Amtrak trains.

[MortMan]

God bless honest heroes like this.

[tom h]

I am the proud father of one, and I’m certain he would have rushed to help too.

[taxesareforever]

We must give credit to his girlfriend also. Sounds like she was just as involved.

[Glad2bnuts]

Diesel driven electrical generator in the back end, that is what is on the end instead of caboose.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

The engine may be diesel, but the electric power distribution system for the cars is quite high-power. Wiki: "Head End Power" (HEP) power supplies the lighting, HVAC, dining car kitchen and battery charging loads. Individual car electrical loading ranges from 20 kW for a typical car to more than 150 kW for a Dome car with kitchen and dining area, such as Princess Tours Ultra Dome cars operating in Alaska. Because of train lengths and the high power requirements in North America, HEP is supplied as three-phase AC at 480 V (standard in the US and Canada), 575 V, or 600 V. Transformers are fitted in each car for reduction to lower voltages.

480 V and 600 V power distribution is nothing to fool around with. There was no way to know if the HEP system was still producing power, if the car bodies were energized, or if live conductors were lying around.

[KC_for_Freedom]

Support your local Scout Troop.

KC- Eagle

Son of KC - Eagle.

Yeah This was a story of Scout Bravery — Belongs in Boys Life.

I heard this story on the radio, but they neglected to mention the influence of Scouting.

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

Liberals blame the Trump Administration for its failure to solve all infrastructure problems in a few months.

Eagle Scouts solve the most pressing problems in a few minutes.

That’s the difference between “Men and Mice”.

[cyclotic]

I guess I’m double safe. I’m father to one Eagle scout and one Freedom Rangeman. (Trail Life USA pinnacle award)

Great job by the young man and lady

[Sequoyah101]

Not just pretty amazing. He probably would have done what he did even without having been a scout. The training helped a lot though.

Some people just come along that are exceptional.

[tom h]

So Freedom Rangeman is the Eagle Scout equivalent for the Christian based scouting program?

Out here in San Diego many of us had great concern about the new BSA rules regarding gay scouts and scoutmasters. But it’s very conservative, traditional, and pro-military in our county so very few, if any, families left our troop. My son became an Eagle Scout in 2013 along with seven other young men that year. Most of the ceremonies were held aboard the Midway, if that gives you any indication about how much we love God and country.

Today, I’m pretty certain we would not join the BSA. It would be either Trail USA or perhaps the Civil Air Patrol.

[cyclotic]

It is.

Eagle is a high honor and I have respect for any young man who earns it.

The Freedom Award encompasses earning a whole slew of badges, plus a candidate must complete a faith building program and several Freedom experiences. These are chosen from a list and encompass several somewhat significant challenges taking from a week to a year to accomplish.

When I first saw the Trail Life program I told a friend to wished BSA would reverse their path and adopt the Trail Life program. It’s very strong.

[70times7]

Thanks!

[70times7]

Thanks!