Norfolk Southern train crew rescues young girl in frigid temperatures

By Martin Wattenbarger, Senior Communications Manager

Locomotive Engineer Jared Simendinger and Conductor Keith Reiter were moving through Johnstown, PA, when they spotted trouble.

Working an assignment as part of the Altoona Helpers — the crews that provide trains extra power to climb the steep Allegheny Mountains — they noticed a man near the tracks, speaking urgently on his phone. Moments later, the reason became clear: his daughter was stranded down a steep embankment near a culvert. Adding to the concern, temperatures were bitter cold, hovering around 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Jared saw that there was a little girl over the bank about 10–15 feet below the rails with the Conemaugh River, which was largely frozen at the time, not much farther down,” Keith said. “We stopped, called the dispatcher, and got permission to reverse to see what was going on.”

Dispatcher Sharlie Bouchard quickly secured the track and supported every move that followed. Her calm coordination gave the crew the safe window they needed to act.

“When I saw the girl down by the culvert, I knew it was serious,” Jared explained. “She was in real danger, and we had to act fast.”

With the track protected, Keith and Jared tied down the engines. The bank was too dangerous to climb, so they improvised with a run-around hose — the portable air hose used to bypass a railcar and connect the train's brake pipe. They lowered it to the girl and guided her as she tied it around her waist.

Within minutes, police officers and the fire chief arrived. Working together, the crew and local officials pulled her safely up the slope. Throughout the rescue, Bouchard held all rail movements, ensuring the area remained clear.

Cold and shaken, the girl needed warmth quickly. So, with dispatch’s approval, Keith and Jared brought the girl and her father into the locomotive cab. Given the remote location, dispatch, local officials, and crew made the decision to use the locomotive to transport everyone — the girl, her father, two officers, the fire chief, and the crew — back to the fire station. By the time they arrived, she was stable and on the path to a full recovery.

In what could have been a tragic moment, Team NS’ quick thinking, communication, and teamwork helped ensure a young girl returned home safely.

Martin Wattenbarger leads internal communications for Norfolk Southern’s Operations organization, with an emphasis on safety culture and performance, operational excellence, and employee engagement. He joined NS in 2020, bringing nearly 20 years of combined strategic communications expertise and governmental service.