Sr. Road Manager Derek Bunch: From railroading to river rescue

By Martin Wattenbarger, Sr. Communications Manager

On a cold morning at Abrams Yard in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Sr. Road Manager Derek Bunch heard an unexpected call over the radio. Someone needed help on the Schuylkill River, not far from NS property. A woman had flagged down crew members, reporting that a man was having a seizure in a kayak stuck on a log about 20 yards from shore.

With temperatures at 28 degrees and no way for emergency responders to reach the location by vehicle, a water rescue wasn’t possible. “I figured I had to go out there and get the kayak,” Derek said. “That was the only way.”

Derek drove as far as possible, then walked about half a mile to the riverbank. He entered the frigid river, freed the kayak, and pulled it to shore. When EMTs and firefighters arrived, Derek helped lift the man onto a gurney and move him to higher ground for treatment. He had been seizing for approximately an hour.

Thanks in large part to Derek’s brave and quick response, the man was stabilized and transported to the hospital.

“Derek is a leader among his peers in every aspect,” said Superintendent Bryce Diffenderfer. “He leads from the front at all times.”

Committed leadership on and off the job

The same qualities that drove Derek to act in an emergency guide his work every day as an exemplary railroader.

“Derek’s not a guy who looks for the spotlight,” said Joe Murphy, General Manager Operations. “He just does his job, goes above and beyond, and you never hear a complaint out of him.”

His committed leadership and collaborative approach have helped improve processes that keep our operations running smoothly in and around Abrams Yard — a pivotal location on our network connecting the Northeast and Chicago.

Recently, Derek helped tackle challenges with trains moving through Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) territory. Working with his team and Intermodal partners, they streamlined procedures and coordinated resources to reduce delays and keep freight — including critical parcel and automotive shipments — moving safely and on time.

Why it matters

On and off the job, character and commitment keep our operations and communities strong.