A Hero on the DREI
While moving a train through central Illinois, Engineer Matthew Davis noticed something unusual near the tracks.
It was in the early morning hours in January, when he was moving a westbound train on the Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad (DREI). He was in Attwood, Illinois – a little over halfway to his destination – when he spotted a man lying about 100 feet away from the track by a building entrance.
With mounds of snow on the ground, the man could’ve easily been missed had Davis not been paying close attention. But being aware of his surroundings comes naturally to Davis. That’s because he’s not only an experienced railroader, but also a volunteer firefighter and paramedic.
Davis’ direct supervisor, Trainmaster David Terven, said, “Matt looks out for people, whether that’s his teammates or the general public. He’s always ready to react and respond to emergencies.”
The weather was frigid, with temperatures in the single digits and a below-zero wind chill. Without essential winter gear, frostbite or hypothermia was a real concern. In an attempt to warn the man of the approaching train, Davis sounded the horn twice. But the man didn’t move.
By chance, the train was traveling on a section of track restricted to 10 mph or less. It was slow enough for Davis to bring the locomotive to a safe stop with good train handling. After calling 911, alerting the conductor, and securing the locomotive, Davis grabbed a first aid kit and rushed over to the man on the ground. That’s when Davis discovered the man was unresponsive but breathing heavily.
First responders quickly arrived, and Davis helped them roll the man to his side, placing him in a standard recovery position to help keep his airway clear and prevent choking. Together, they secured the man on a gurney and helped move him into an ambulance, where he was transported to a local hospital.
Afterward, Davis debriefed with the conductor and continued moving the train another hour and a half to the final destination in Decatur.
Senior Trainmaster Phillip Burrous said, “Matt was in the right place at the right time to help this person. He’s a hero.”