Quick-Thinking Norwalk Police Officer Saves Driver From Oncoming Train

NORWALK, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- A Norwalk police officer is being hailed as a hero after his quick thinking helped prevent a train from colliding with an SUV.

Just before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, traffic was backed up on Cross Street when Officer Neil Robertson noticed the SUV directly in the path of the oncoming Metro-North Railroad train, WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported.

"There was no way we could back the car out because literally the action was going to happen in a matter of seconds," Robertson said.

Robertson saw some space between the cars ahead. He ran and frantically signaled for the drivers to move up.

Making eye contact with each driver, he said, they could sense the urgency.

"And sure enough, everyone moved forward, and it made just enough room for the SUV that was stuck on the tracks to give it some gas, and just as soon as it gave it some gas, the train came flying right through."

The final moments of the close call were caught on video.

Robertson said the woman in the SUV drove off as he raised his fingers to signal to her she was saved by just inches.

A witness' email brought the incident to the attention of Norwalk police Chief Tom Kulhawik.

"One of your officers deserves praise as he saved a lady from being hit by a train," the witness, identified as Simon K., wrote. " ... He managed to save the day with about 2 seconds to spare."

Added Kulhawik: "Had Officer Robertson not been there and taken swift action, the incident would have likely ended tragically."

Earlier this month, a Metro-North train struck an SUV on the tracks in Valhalla, New York, and erupted in flames, killing five people on the train and the driver of the SUV.

On Tuesday in Oxnard, California, 30 people were injured in a fiery wreck when a commuter train hit a pickup truck that stalled on the tracks.