Young boy runs to help stranded motorist on train tracks

A Seventeen year old boy is being called a hero after he ran 100 yards to the police station to alert police to an unconscious motorist stalled on the railroad tracks this morning.

James Laboke, a three year resident of Old Orchard Beach was on his way to work this morning when he saw a car on the railroad tracks. When Laboke went to investigate he found the driver slumped over the steering wheel unconscious with the car running. Laboke attempted to reach the driver, however all doors were locked and the motorist did not awake to pounding on windows. With no cell phone Laboke ran the 100 yards to the police station to get the motorist help.

“I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn't let that man get crushed by a train” said Laboke.

Captain Janet Paradiso of the Old Orchard Police Force was a mile away from the stranded vehicle when she got the call to respond. Paradiso arrived on scene at 6:05 a.m. and heard the train whistle of the 6:10 a.m. Amtrak Downeaster train from Portland approaching. “I knew there was no time. I had to do something” explained Paradios.

Chief of police Brian Paul explained that Paradiso rammed her police cruiser into the stranded car and pushed it from the tracks. Thirty seconds later, the train passed through the crossing at about 40 miles per hour. “It was that close,” Paul said.

The driver of the stranded vehicle was 80-year-old Francois Truffsault. Truffault, a tourist from Quebec City has been coming to Old Orchard Beach since he was a child. He said later from his hospital bed at Southern Maine medical Center: “I don t remember a thing.” Truffault is listed in stable condition. According to the police report Truffault, a diabetic, may have gone into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing.

Laboke, an Afghan refugee reported to the Eezy Breezy restaurant where he works on time and didn’t mention anything about the incident to his boss Charles Champaigne. Champaigne only learned of his employees heroic actions when a reporter called. “It doesn’t surprise me at all. That young man is one of my most responsible employees. He’s just a great kid” described Champaigne.