Josiah Baur, 23, lifted a railroad crossing gate Friday evening to free Debbie Spoelstra's car from the tracks at Bridge Road and Dixie Highway in Hobe Sound seconds before a freight train passed through the intersection. Spoelstra was turning onto Bridge Road from Dixie Highway when a railroad crossing arm came down on her car, leaving her trapped between the gates. The arm got stuck on her car antenna, preventing her from reversing.
Baur was on his way home to Port St. Lucie from work when he stopped at the crossing and saw Spoelstra trapped. He put his car in park and ran across the tracks to lift the gate. Spoelstra backed her car away from the tracks seconds before the train passed. Dash-cam video captured the rescue.
Spoelstra and Baur met again at the railroad crossing Sunday and hugged. Spoelstra said she was grateful to Baur and believes a total stranger helping another person is remarkable. Baur said he was fortunate that God put him where he was.
Spoelstra said she was not texting or distracted while driving and was simply taken off guard by the crossing arms lowering. Witnesses say the crossing arm malfunctioned during the incident, and Spoelstra reported the problem to Florida East Coast Railway.