Story posted Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Franklin Park Officer Called A Hero
Earlier this month an East Leyden High School bus, stuck on railroad tracks with a train baring down, was saved by a quick-thinking police officer who happened to be at the right place at the right time.
The school bus stalled on the railroad tracks at 25th Street near East Leyden on the evening of Wednesday, May 6 as it returned from dropping off students.
Seeing the bus as he happened to drive by, Franklin Park Police Officer Dan Velazquez drove his police SUV up to the back of the bus pushing it free of the tracks as an oncoming train approached.
As the SUV entered the gate crossing the railroad gates came down to signal the oncoming train. The gate knocked off the passenger side mirror and bounced across the roof of the vehicle. No injuries were reported.
The bus was empty of students returning to ELHS from its evening run when it stalled.
At their Thursday, May 21 meeting, Leyden High School Dist. 212 board members honored Velazquez with a plaque for his life saving accomplishment. His commander also put him in for a commendation.
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