A local man is being recognized as a hero after he saved a man who was stuck on railroad tracks and refused to get out of his vehicle. Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp praised Brandon Gatton from Taylorville who saved another Taylorville man, 68 year old Randy R. Tester.  Tester had driven his 2019 Toyota Tacoma pickup onto the railroad track just west of Shumway Street near the intersection with Calvert Street in Taylorville.  In turning around, the pickup truck got stuck on the track and Tester was unable to remove his vehicle from the track.

Gatton had been traveling on Calvert Street when he realized something was wrong.

The train that was coming was a Norfolk Southern train. Gatton tried to get the man out of the vehicle. 

Taylorville Fire Department, Dunn’s Ambulance Taylorville Police, and Christian County Sheriff’s office responded to the call. Tester was arrested for suspected driving under the influence of alcohol.  Sheriff Kettelkamp gave Gatton an award for his achievements. 

Sheriff Kettelkamp urged all Christian County residents to be safe during the holidays.

Tester’s first appearance in court on the charge of DUI is set for December 16th.