Redlands, CA – A train accident narrowly avoided turned into an act of heroism when San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Castaneda, while off duty, saved a child from an oncoming train in Redlands.
The dramatic rescue occurred as Castaneda, a former Marine, noticed an SUV stuck on the tracks at a railroad crossing while a train was rapidly approaching.
According to eyewitnesses, the SUV driver, a mother, had exited the vehicle in an attempt to remove her child from the back seat. Still, she was unable to maneuver the vehicle out of the gravel. Castaneda recalled that after the mother placed her first child down while reaching to retrieve another, he heard the train horn and knew immediate action was critical.
“As soon as she put that child down, I heard the horn, and to me, that was the start of a race,” Castaneda shared. In an instant, he sprinted toward the tracks, scooped up the child, and dashed out of harm’s way just moments before the train passed. The mother managed to get herself and her other child to safety on the opposite side of the tracks.
A bystander’s cellphone video, shared by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, captures Castaneda’s split-second decision and his sprint to reach the child in time. His actions have since been recognized with the Meritorious Valor Award, an honor awarded to those who demonstrate extraordinary bravery.
The Sheriff’s Department praised Castaneda, stating, “His actions are a true example of courage and dedication to our community.”
This incident is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of quick, decisive action in dangerous situations. Our thoughts are with the family who narrowly escaped this tragic train accident.