Gwinnett County

Teen loses both feet when hit by train

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A Gwinnett County teenager is recovering after he lost both feet when he was hit by a train on railroad tracks in Lilburn Thursday afternoon.

Jacob Ohl, 17, was found near the train tracks off Killian Hill Road about 1:00 p.m. with both feet severed in the incident, authorities said. First responders said they found him with headphones in his ears.

"I didn't expect to see him conscious at all," said Officer Andy Blimline, with the Lilburn Police Department, who was first on the scene. "I just had the victim laid down on his back and I just started talking to him, making sure that he stayed calm."

The CSX freight train conductor told police Ohl had been lying next to the tracks with his feet on the rail. The company is assisting Lilburn police with an investigation.

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Ohl called 911 and asked for help. He told the 911 dispatcher, Candace Vereb, that he walked onto the tracks after visiting a nearby park. Vereb asked if he had tried to hurt himself and Ohl said no.

Blimline and investigator Cody Belcher both ran along the train tracks near Killian Hill Road and Shelley Lane until they found him.

"He appeared OK and then I lifted the jacket and saw that the bottom half of his legs were no longer attached," Belcher said. "I immediately grabbed a tourniquet and began applying two tourniquets, one to each leg."

Ohl was taken to Gwinnett Medical Center and underwent successful surgery Friday afternoon, his family said. They said he is an honor student at Brookwood High School, plans to enroll in college in the fall and loves music.

His family is planning to make modifications to its Lawrenceville house to accommodate Ohl when he is released from the hospital. They have set up a GoFundMe page if you would like to help.