Michael Pineda
The Daily Ardmoreite
Call it fate, an act of God or a happy coincidence, but one thing is certain, a young woman was saved from what would have been a severe injury or a fatal experience at 6 a.m., Monday morning. And it was due to the actions of Ardmore Fire Department Shift Commander Darin Butler.
Butler found the woman parked on the railroad tracks in what a police report has indicated as “a state of intoxication.” He removed the woman from her vehicle as a train was bearing down on them and was able to save a life that very well could have been lost.
“For this to happen like it did, it was the Lord’s will,” Butler said. “It was meant to happen.”
Upon reflection, it is easy to understand his feelings in being placed in a position to help the woman.
Butler was on his way to investigate a suspicious fire at 522 Hatcher SE. Dispatch had reported the fire was out and Engine Crew 2 responded to the call. Butler received word the fire was out, but because of smoke damage, an investigation was warranted. Because there was no imminent danger, Butler was able to respond in an non-emergency mode. As he crossed the railroad tracks at C St. and 1st St. SE, Butler noticed a vehicle stranded on the tracks.
“I saw a car facing north and got on dispatch and requested police assistance,” he said. “The car’s taillights and headlights were on but I didn’t see anyone in the car.”
Butler turned his vehicle around and parked by the side of the tracks with his emergency lights, as well as headlights, on the car when he heard a train horn. He approached the vehicle and found a woman inside the car with her head down. The passenger door was locked but Butler was able to gain entry into the vehicle. He found the woman conscious and identified himself as a member of the fire department.
“When I opened the door it startled her,” Butler said. “I told her a train was coming and was able to help her out of the car. She said she was cold and I put her in my vehicle with the heater on.”
The train engineer, noticing the flashing lights of the emergency vehicle, understood the situation was out of the ordinary and stopped the train with barely room to spare, avoiding a collision with the woman’s car.
“I talked to the engineer after the train stopped,” Butler said. “He told me when he saw the lights he didn’t think anything about it because he first thought it was railroad crossing lights. When he saw the blue lights on the emergency lights, he knew it was not the normal railroad crossing and he was able to stop because he had more braking power with six engines.”
Butler credited the engineer for being alert while driving through town early in the morning and being able to ascertain a dangerous situation had presented itself.
The police report indicated the woman had driven down the railroad tracks and had gotten stuck. Luckily, Butler was in the right place at the right time.
“I could have taken six routes to the scene,” he said. “If I had caught different stoplights, I could have been there a minute and a half later.
“No credit goes to me, the good Lord made it possible for me to happen to be there.”
Butler said he has contacted the woman and said the conversation was very positive as she has come to grips with what might have happened.
Butler, who has seen tragic consequences of accidents and fires in his 28 years on the fire department, was moved by the fact he was in time to prevent a tragedy.
“I am more familiar with the aftermath of an accident or fire,” Butler said. “To be able to help someone before something bad happens, it is just a miracle.
“I thought about it and when I got home, I got on my knees and thanked the good Lord. It is a feeling you can’t describe.”
Butler also said it was what a firefighter does and any firefighter would have done it. Chief Cary Williamson commended Butler on the job he did and agreed the events surrounding the need to investigate and the timing of arriving at the scene was something out of the ordinary.
“It was certainly no less than divine intervention,” Williamson said. “For all the factors to take place, I’m very proud that Commander Butler was involved in this. He was doing his duty and it was very rewarding not only for him but for his friends and colleagues to know he responded and helped avoid a catastrophic incident.”
And for that, Butler is thankful that a woman was able to eventually be back with her family and friends and move forward with her life.
“Things may look tough right now, but she is fortunate to be here and not dead,” Butler said. “I wanted to make sure she was okay and she is. And I’m proud of that fact.”
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