New Jersey

NJ Transit Cop Drags Man From Tracks Seconds Before Arriving Train

The incident occurred on Friday near the Secaucus terminal

A New Jersey Transit police officer spotted a man lying on the railroad tracks in Secaucus and managed to pull him to safety mere seconds before a train arrived.

NJ Transit praised officer Victor Ortiz on Sunday for saving the man who resisted the attempt to rescue him.

"Officer Ortiz’s selfless and heroic actions demonstrated a level of bravery and a true sense of compassion and purpose that often goes unrecognized but is ever present in our law enforcement community," said NJ Transit in a news release.

Surveillance video shows Ortiz tugging on the man's arm until he eventually pulls him out of harm's way. Just as they clear the tracks, a train glides by.

The incident occurred on Friday near the Secaucus terminal.

The man, identified as 56-year-old Alan Jefferson, was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, two counts of resisting arrest, one count of disorderly conduct and one count of interference with transportation. 

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