Three Superhero Teens Saved Man on Railroad Tracks after Spotting Him from Their Classroom
Ottumwa is a small city of about 25,000 people. Split into northern and southern sections by the Des Moines River, Ottumwa was built by industries like coal mining, meat packing, and video game development. Presidents Benjamin Harrison, Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon, and Barack Obama visited Ottumwa during their travels to and through Iowa.
Ottumwa Is Home to Three Awesome Teens
After all, Iowa is the home of the Iowa Caucus, which plays a critical part in political campaigns and elections. C.W. wrote in The Economist, “The state—known for its cornfields and brutally cold winters—can serve either as a campaign’s launchpad or as its crash site.”
The little Midwestern city is also the birthplace of Actor Tom Arnold and Corporal Walter “Radar” O’Reilly of the MASH 4077th. In addition to hosting famous visitors and being the birthplace of Tom and Radar, Ottumwa is home to three awesome teens who came to the rescue of a man who stumbled on the busy tracks of the BNSF Railway, which also runs right through town.
Gateway High School seniors Clinton Ring, Paul Clanry, and Daveson Hartman were in class one day last October when Paul saw a man in distress through his classroom window. Paul called for friends Clinton and Daveson, and, without permission, the three ran outside to help the man who’d fallen on the railroad tracks and was struggling to get up. As they left the building, they yelled to science teacher Matt Erlandson and let him know where they were going.
Their Teacher Followed Them
Mr. Erlandson also followed the young men out of the building to offer his help. He observed the three assist the older gentleman as he got his bearings and two, positioned on either side of the man, supporting him as he walked to the bus station about two blocks away. Mr. Erlandson called it “a selfless act” on the part of the students, who didn’t hesitate a moment to offer a hand.
Gateway High School is an alternative high school. Principal Aaron Ruff told CBS, “A lot of them are attendance issues at the high school or deficient in grades. Some have some behavior issues, and some choose to come here just to be in a smaller setting. We really pride ourselves on not defining kids at their worst moment but at their best.”
When David Begnaud sat down with Gateway High School’s heroes to talk about their act of kindness, he asked what their actions prove to those who suspect them to be “troubled” students at an alternative school. Clinton said they proved those individuals wrong, and Daveson said it proves they’re “better” than what people believe about them. Regarding the lesson others should derive from their actions, Clinton encouraged people not to “judge a book by its cover,” and Paul stated that people should just “be righteous for the people around you.” Yes, indeed!
This Act of Kindness Made the Teens Closer
Though they’ve thought about the man they helped, Clinton, Paul, and Daveson haven’t seen him since he thanked them and went on his way. Since that day, the three have grown even closer as friends. About their friendship, Daveson told David, “I think they’re great people. They help me a lot. They help others, too, and I’m thankful for that—for being their friends.”
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11
WATCH: Three Superhero Teens Saved Man on Railroad Tracks after Spotting Him from Their Classroom
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Originally published February 27, 2025.
