Soldiers honored for heroic efforts in Amtrak crash
TACOMA, Wash. -- An emotional moment as Army medical officers and a nurse are honored for their acts of heroism in rescuing passengers when the Amtrak train crashed onto Interstate 5. The derailment happened nearly two years ago, but the memories are still very fresh on their minds.
Army Lt. Col. Christopher Sloan and Major Michael Livingston say the award ceremony is a humbling experience. The Army says it is a necessary one to honor their heroism the day the Amtrak passenger train plunged off of the I-5 overpass when the crew failed to slow for a curve on the inaugural run of that Point Defiance Bypass route.
"I felt I needed to try to help who I could," said Livingston. He was off duty heading south. The same for Sloan. Both were in different cars, but coming to the same conclusion. They had to get to the people trapped in the dangling railcar.
"And I said 'that's where I need to be,'" said Sloan. "Those people need help."
That is where they ran into another Madigan medical team member, First Lt. Robert McCoy, who was already inside helping get people out knowing the car could fall at any moment.
"You didn't have time to think about your own safety," said McCoy. "You were just more concerned with the welfare of others and you just saw people there that were scared and hurt and in need."
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