‘Tragedy’ prevented. Muscogee deputy honored for saving man from oncoming train
A sergeant in the Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office has received a commendation after helping save a man from a car on railroad tracks Tuesday in Columbus, the MCSO announced Thursday.
The sheriff’s office said the father of one of their deputies was travelling on Macon Road, near Garrett Road, when he was struck from behind by another vehicle driving around 80 mph.
The collision knocked the vehicle of the deputy’s father onto the railroad tracks at Ingrillis Road, according to MCSO.
Sgt. Earl Osbon was off duty when he witnessed the incident and rushed to the vehicle to provide aid, according to MCSO.
The sheriff’s office said the driver could be extracted, but it was advised the driver not be removed until paramedics arrived because he had suffered injuries.
Osbon tried to have dispatch contact the railroad company, MCSO said, but he was unsuccessful.
A train was moving toward the vehicle, and flagging down the conductor wasn’t working, according to MCSO.
The sheriff’s office said Osbon decided to extract the driver, which he did along with two good samaritans (Tyler Routen and Bobby Gray).
Osbon fell on the way down (not further injuring the driver) and yelled at Routen and Gray to get the driver to safety, according to MCSO.
The sheriff’s office said they got the driver to safety just as the train struck the vehicle.
The deputy’s father was discharged from the hospital and is doing OK, according to MCSO.
“Thanks to Sgt. Osbon’s selfless actions and quick thinking, a possible tragedy was prevented,” the letter of commendation says.
This story was originally published September 12, 2025 at 12:21 PM.