BNSF News

Montana-Based Employees Help Injured Children

2009-12-14

Paul Siewing and Mark Rogers were on their way to a work site at Tampico in eastern Montana when they saw a chilling scene that could have been right out of a movie.

A young boy, covered in what appeared to be blood, was walking on the highway. Instead of driving on and using a cell phone to call for help, as many others might have done, Siewing and Rogers, both maintenance welders based in Malta and Hinsdale, Mont., stopped to help.

They noticed a pickup truck that had, apparently, left the snowy and icy roadway and rolled. All four occupants of the vehicle - teenagers on the way to school in Hinsdale -- were ejected from the vehicle.

Siewing and Rogers immediately called for emergency assistance. At the same time, John Reinert, electronics technician in Telecommunications, also happened upon the accident. After determining that one of the truck's occupants was fatally injured, the three BNSF employees took steps to provide warmth, comfort and emergency first aid to the three survivors.

Dave Nilsen, roadmaster, Havre, Mont., said he was proud of the employees and their quick action to help those in need.

"They handled the situation professionally but with sensitivity to comfort these injured and frightened children," Nilsen said. "Their intervention more than likely saved the lives of the three accident survivors."

Gus Melonas, regional director, Public Affairs, said the actions of the three employees also show the importance of emergency preparedness.

"This is a tribute to the Montana Division's safety preparedness efforts," Melonas said. "These employees went above and beyond the call of duty to help these young students."

Once emergency responders arrived, the youngsters were transported to regional hospitals for treatment.

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