Passing train is clue that helps 5-year-old save dad

CHamilton · Aug 19, 2013

STANFIELD, ORE. — Oregon State Police say a 5-year old Spokane, Wash., boy may have saved his father's life after his dad suffered a stroke while driving.
The boy named Dax called his mother Sunday to say they needed help, but he could not provide a location.

Spokane 9-1-1 worked with a phone company to learn the phone's signal pinged on a cellular tower near Stanfield, Ore.

A state trooper called the father's phone, and Dax provided a description of the area, including that a train was passing by.

That detail led troopers to a spot where they knew tracks paralleled the freeway. Trooper John Lombardi saw the vehicle on the shoulder of Interstate 84.

the_traveler · Aug 19, 2013

So trains do more than carry people - they save lives! Good for him!

It's nice to hear a story about a car and a train where the car remains in one piece!

fairviewroad · Aug 19, 2013

Here's a picture of the hero kid:

http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-08/1002/66874/Dax.1.JPG

And a dash-cam shot of the location, though you can't really see the train tracks:

http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-08/1002/66874/081813.i84mp177.4.jpg

The location, I believe, would be along the former route of The Pioneer, now used only by freight trains.

SarahZ · Aug 20, 2013

That kid is adorable.

JayPea · Aug 20, 2013

fairviewroad said:
Here's a picture of the hero kid:http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-08/1002/66874/Dax.1.JPG

And a dash-cam shot of the location, though you can't really see the train tracks:

http://www.flashalertnewswire.net/images/news/2013-08/1002/66874/081813.i84mp177.4.jpg

The location, I believe, would be along the former route of The Pioneer, now used only by freight trains.

That is indeed the correct location, near the former Pioneer stop at Hinkle.