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KSAT.com
Illegal Immigrant Rescued From Locked Train Boxcar
Honduran Man Went Without Food, Water

POSTED: 10:21 am CDT August 6, 2006

SAN ANTONIO -- A man from Honduras was rescued after being trapped in a train boxcar, KSAT 12 News reported.

The train stopped at Terrell and Ezell streets on the city's east side just as another man happened to be near the train.

"I yelled at him because I was suffocating," said Oscar Cruz, who spend two days in the locked, stuffy car.

Henry Lopez helped save Cruz.

"I couldn't just leave him there," Lopez said. "I had to go help him."

Cruz told KSAT 12 News that he was fooled into going into the boxcar in Nuevo Laredo. He also said he was traveling with two other men who were taken off the train.

Cruz was able to stay onboard because he said he fell asleep.

Cruz went through two days without food or water.

"He was screaming, screaming with all his guts," Lopez said. "I went over there (and) he was scared."

Lopez just happened to be outside cleaning his garage when he heard the yells.

Lopez said Cruz's illegal status didn't matter to him.

"He was in a hot train," he said. "It was 100 degrees out here … no telling how hot in there."

"This gentleman was extremely lucky that some of the residents could hear him calling for help," said Sgt. Russell McWhorter of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.

Cruz said he was heading to New York for the chance to raise money for his family.

Lopez said he believes he did what any person would do.
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