Crime & Safety
Ames Superman Rescues Elderly Couple From Train Tracks
Inside the car was Marion, 84, and Jean Papich, 78, both of Slater. Witnesses were urging the couple to get out of the vehicle as the train got closer and closer, but they didn't budge. That's when Chris Ihle, 38, of Ames, jumped into action.
An Ames man heard the train approaching and saw a car rocking back and forth - stalled out on the railroad tracks on Wednesday afternoon.
Inside the sedan was Marion, 84, and Jean Papich, 78, both of Slater. Witnesses were urging the couple to get out of the vehicle as the train got closer and closer, but they didn't budge.
That's when Chris Ihle, 38, of Ames, changed from Clark Kent into Superman.
"I started to get worried, and I heard the train horn," Ihle told KCCI.
He jumped into action. Ihle mustered superhero strength and pushed the vehicle out of the way just seconds before the train passed, avoiding an accident and injury.
"I was able to get between the car and train with both my legs in tact," Ihle said.
Witness Heather Cramer said it didn't look like Ihle was going to make it.
"It was really, really close," Cramer told KCCI.
KCCI called him a hero who demonstrated a moment of adrenaline strength.
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