Samaritan helps empty bus stuck on train tracks

A variety of media is available to us and that’s good, because none of the online newspaper stories I saw about this incident mentioned the heroic, selfless actions of John Masinick. (I’m guessing at the spelling of his name.) In case the link dies let me tell you what he did.

Snowy blizzard night, he’s driving along and sees a NJ Transit bus stuck on the train tracks, and the red lights flashing that indicate a train is coming. He got out of his vehicle, got on to the bus and persuaded the reluctant passengers and driver, who didn’t see the red flashing lights to evacuate IMMEDIATELY. Once some of the passengers looked out the window and saw the lights of the oncoming train they moved swiftly. By the time the commuter train hit the bus, crumpling it nearly in half, all of the passengers were safely off the bus.

Right before the collision another NJ Transit bus had come along, witnessing the crash and providing warm, snow refuge for the evacuated passengers.

I hope Santa is good to you Mr. John Masinick.

Train Hits Bus Stuck in Snow,
N.J. Transit bus service suspended for the night
www.nbcphiladelphia.comm | By TERESA MASTERSON | Dec 19, 200

A New Jersey Transit train struck a New Jersey Transit bus Saturday after the bus became stuck on the snow-covered train tracks in Pennsauken.

The 25 passengers were evacuated before the Atlantic City line train hit it at about 7:30 p.m., says N.J. Transit spokesman Dan Stessel. A train engineer had minor injuries from the crash.

A new bus picked up the bus riders. The 38 train passengers were to get a ride on another train once the damaged bus could be removed from the crossing.

Officials were urging motorists to stay inside. Speed limits on some major roadways were reduced.

At 9 p.m. NJ Transit announced it was suspending bus service for the night. Buses were to stop after their current runs were completed.