Madeline “Amy” Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery (2018)
Ray Armstead and Ryan Saba
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, in which at least 206 people with ties to Massachusetts perished. The first flights to be hijacked took off from Boston Logan International Airport. Madeline “Amy” Sweeney, a flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11, displayed extraordinary cool under extreme pressure during the hijacking. The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund Blog is profiling the Sweeney Award recipients for the past quarter century every week leading up to the naming of the 2026 Honoree(s) at the 25th Anniversary Commemoration on September 11th.
Bridgewater duo saves senior citizens as train bears down on stalled car
On Jan. 4, 2018, during the first big snowstorm of the year, Bridgewater residents Arthur and Peggy Barros, both 72, became stuck on the train tracks at the Broad Street railroad crossing in Bridgewater, MA. Ray Armstead and Ryan Saba of Bridgewater, who were driving behind the couple, stopped to see if they could provide assistance.
First, Saba and Armstead attempted to push the Barros’s car off the tracks but were unable to move it. Because of whiteout conditions from the storm, they could hear but not see how close the oncoming train was. That changed quickly as the crossing gate arms lowered and the lights flashed with the couple still in the car.
Armstead and Saba got Arthur Barros out of the vehicle, before working to get Peggy Barros’ locked door open so they could extricate her from the vehicle as well. They then moved everyone to safety in Saba’s truck, 30 seconds before the train hit the Barros’ car. The car was launched about 20 feet into the air before crashing into gates and a control shed, exposing live wires.
Armstead and Saba remained with Arthur and Peggy Barros until officers arrived. In the aftermath of the rescue, the good Samaritans were dubbed the “snow angels” for their heroic actions, even though their identities were not known. They later came into the Bridgewater Police Department after police asked for help on social media in identifying them.
“I just hope that other people think of the same thing to do in a situation like that,” Saba said, who added that it was an “absolute honor” to receive the award named for Sweeney.
Bridgewater Police Chief Christopher Delmonte nominated Armstead and Saba for the Madeline “Amy” Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery.
“Both Armstead and Saba acted on behalf of others without concern for themselves,” Delmonte wrote. “Their actions were honorable, selfless and courageous especially given the precarious circumstances of the vehicle stuck on an active commuter railroad crossing.”
Next week: MBTA lineman rescues four people from burning car in West Bridgewater