From left, Don Craine, Superintendent, Keystone Division; Shane Heck, Conductor; Kenneth Goodwin, Engineer; and Travis McConnell, Superintendent of Terminals, Harrisburg Consolidated Terminal

Early April 11, a driver transporting railroaders Kenneth Goodwin, Engineer, and Shane Heck, Conductor, hit a deer while on a two-lane highway in Pennsylvania. The vehicle stopped in the left lane, straddling the yellow line dividing the northbound lane. Due to the position of the vehicle, northbound traffic had little time or space to maneuver around the stalled van.

Realizing the danger, Shane and Kenneth escaped the van and then tried evacuating the disoriented driver. After verbal attempts to alert the driver, Kenneth grabbed his shoulder to pull him from the vehicle. The driver then removed his seatbelt and exited the van. No sooner, a tractor trailer traveling at highway speed struck the rear of the van and sent it off the side of the road.

“Kenny and Shane both put their own lives on the line to perform a heroic act and rescue this driver,” said Don Craine, Superintendent, Keystone Division. “If it wasn’t for their quick thinking and teamwork, the outcome very likely would have been much different.”

Both railroaders used their considerable skillsets to save the driver’s life. Kenneth served four years in the U.S. Army and still drills as an Army reservist. Shane is a volunteer firefighter.

Kenneth and Shane were both recently honored for their heroism and bravery during an award luncheon in Harrisburg.