Stara Wieś, Poland - February 17, 2025 A routine drive turned into a life-or-death ordeal on Monday, February 17, when a woman’s car stalled on a railway crossing in Stara Wieś near Piotrków Trybunalski in the Łódź region. With a train barreling toward her, the clock was ticking, and panic set in as her vehicle refused to start. What followed was a dramatic rescue captured on video by PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A., Poland’s state railway company, showcasing a breathtaking race against time. The incident unfolded at 4:15 p.m. as the woman drove across the tracks. Suddenly, her car came to a dead stop. Despite her desperate attempts to restart the engine, it wouldn’t budge. As she struggled, a fellow motorist—a friend who happened to be passing by—rushed to her aid. But even his efforts to get the car running failed. With no time to spare, another driver stepped in, offering a tow rope and his off-road vehicle as their last hope. Just as the tow rope was secured, the situation escalated. The crossing’s red lights flashed, and the barriers dropped—a chilling signal that a train was seconds away. The rescuer floored the accelerator, yanking the stranded car off the tracks with such force that it collided with the woman and her friend, knocking them aside. At 4:17 p.m., the train roared past, missing the car by mere moments. “Drivers and the train operator can breathe a sigh of relief. This was a true race against time,” PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe said in a statement. “From the moment the car stalled to the train’s arrival, just 1.5 minutes passed. Huge applause for our heroes, who kept their cool and acted decisively under immense pressure.” The state railway company later released safety advice for such emergencies: abandon the vehicle immediately, take all passengers with you, and call 112 with the crossing’s identification number from the Yellow Sticker to alert authorities, who may be able to halt train traffic. “Don’t risk your life—it’s irreplaceable, unlike a car,” they emphasized. They suggest splitting tasks in a group: one person calls for help while others ensure everyone exits the vehicle safely.