DEER PARK — Deer Park School District Unit bus driver Larry Hickam is being honored for his role in helping save a local man who was stuck on railroad tracks.
Hickam was on his way to his job earlier this year when he noticed a man in a wheelchair stuck on the railroad tracks in Deer Park. Media reports noted the man had been trying to get the attention of motorists.
While some would shy away or be overcome by fear, Hickam sprang into action. He immediately pulled his car over to the side of the road so he could assist the man.
Unable to move the wheelchair himself, Hickam flagged down another driver, who promptly also pulled over his vehicle to help.
As the two men were struggled to free the man in the wheelchair from the tracks, Hickam looked up to see a train quickly approaching.
It was then that he and the other good Samaritan got the idea to lift the wheelchair from the bottom.
Just as they successfully freed the man from the tracks and carried him to the side of the road, the gates went down and the train passed. No one was injured.
Hickam was recently presented with special commendations at a recent school board meeting in Deer Park, as well as in the Town of Babylon.
— Wendi Bowie
