Engineer Trainee, John Hedgepeth of SMART-TD Local 490 is being hailed as a hero for his quick-thinking and selfless actions during a catastrophic derailment involving Norfolk Southern trains in Indiana.
Brother Hedgepeth acted instinctively to save the life of his engineer by moving him clear of a locomotive ladder just seconds before molten sulfur from a derailed train engulfed their position.
He then dove from the nose of his engine to try to get himself clear from the fallout of the derailment. Though his actions undoubtedly saved his life and that of his engineer, Brother Hedgepeth was covered in molten sulfur from one of the derailed cars.
He was left with third-degree burns covering a significant portion of his body, along with a broken rib. He likely faces a long road to recovery, requiring travel to the nearest burn treatment center located over 150 miles away in Indianapolis.
Brother John Hedgepeth needs our support during his road to healing
Hedgepeth, a U.S. Marine with 13 years of railroad experience, and his family are in urgent need of support. A fundraiser has been set up by his brothers in Local 490 to assist them during this incredibly difficult time.
Click here to donate to Brother Hedgepeth’s GoFundMe ►
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