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Off-duty officer risks life to save two men injured in train derailment

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — An off-duty police officer who jumped into action when a train derailed and caused an explosion is talking about his experience.

The officer’s body camera captured video of the explosion and his lifesaving efforts that followed.

Two men are currently recovering from injuries sustained during the explosion but are alive thanks to the officer.

Channel 2′s Nicole Carr went back to Gwinnett County to talk with the officer about his heroic actions.

Lilburn Police Senior Officer Almedin Ajanovic started running straight for the crash scene, looking for anyone who may have survived the CSX train derailment early Sunday morning.

“Priority is just, life, you know,” Ajanovic said.

Gwinnett authorities say that 38 of the 170 cars hauled by the train derailed, dropping hazardous diesel fuel and causing an explosion.

The resulting fire caused nearby neighbors to evacuate their homes around Main Street and Camp Creek Road.

“I honestly don’t know how big the sign was that said ‘high-voltage danger’,” Ajanovic said. “You don’t know if anything else is going to explode because about 150 feet away from us going westbound on the tracks, there’s a train car literally standing up right in front of us and there’s just a gulf of flames going up in the air.”

Ajanovic was just finishing an off-duty job when he heard radio dispatches for explosions and fire tied to the derailment.

CSX employees who were on the train called out for help as Ajanovic ran through the woods to find them.

Ajanovic quickly found the CSX workers and pulled them from the wreckage.

“I’m just grateful that both of those guys are able to go back to their families,” Ajanovic said.

The two men rescued by Ajanovic are recovering from minor injuries.

CSX released a statement saying it is grateful for officer Ajanovic’s heroism.

The investigation as to what caused the derailment is still ongoing and cleanup is underway, but nearby residents who had to evacuate are back in their homes.