Teens Save a Fallen Stranger from Railroad Track.

Clinton Ring, Paul Clanry and Daveson Hartman, Gateway High School seniors, sat in class one day when Paul glanced out the window at just the right moment. He witnessed an elderly man take a dangerous fall on nearby train tracks, instinctively jumped up and told Clinton and Daveson what he saw.

The boys knew they had little time: A train could rush by at any minute on BNSF’s busy railway tracks. The three boys didn’t hesitate as they rushed out of their school on a rescue mission.

The boys yelled out to alert their teacher, Matt Erlandson, as they headed out the school’s door. Matt followed them out with two service dogs to offer additional assistance. He looked ahead and noticed that the boys already had the situation under control. They helped the disoriented elderly man stand up and located his scattered belongings.

Matt then observed the heartwarming sight of the boys positioning themselves on both sides of the man to provide support until he got his bearings. The boys slowly walked the man to a bus station a few blocks away. Feeling pride at his students’ quick thinking, Matt captured the moment of kindness with a photo snapped on his phone. He said he knew the moment would become a valuable life lesson for the teens.

“By the time I was out there, they were kind of getting to him and helping him up off his feet and just then they started walking him to the bus stop,” Matt said. “It was just, you know, a selfless act. They didn't wait and ask for permission, they just said, ‘we're doing this.’”

The boys said that their shared act of kindness had even made their friendship even stronger.

“I think they’re great people,” said Daveson of Paul and Clinton. “They help me a lot. They help others, too, and I’m thankful for that—for being their friends.”

Gateway High School serves as an alternative high school for students that have attendance, grade or behavioral issues. After that day, three caring boys will be defined more by their most shining moment of kindness than for any struggles they experienced previously. They will take that positive feeling wherever they travel in life.

The Foundation For a Better Life and PassItOn believe that Clinton Ring, Paul Clanry and Daveson Hartman are heroes. The boys didn’t hesitate to do what they needed to do to help save a stranger. Their selfless action is a great example of the value of helping others. Please help us celebrate them by sharing their inspiring story.