Bald eagle injured on train tracks unable to move, rescuers manage to save him just seconds before oncoming train arrived in miraculous story of safety

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Sep 8, 2026 8:15 AM EDT

Bald eagles are usually known for their intimidation, so it's extra heartwarming when we can be the ones to save them. 

Bald eagles are an incredible animal. They're powerful, dangerous, adaptable, intimidating, and a symbol of strength and freedom. They're native to North America and like to live near rivers, lakes, marshes, and coastlines. They prefer to be next to water so they can easily catch fish, which makes up the majority of their diet. They have incredible eyesight and can spot a prey from far away. Their nests are also impressive. They add to them year after year and they become really enormous structures. 

Despite their strength, everyone is at some point susceptible to dangers in the world. This bald eagle was flying when it was hit by a train and was left injured and unable to fly off of the train tracks. A rescuer spotted him and immediately called others into action to help her. She didn't have much time to think about what to do or how to safely get him off the tracks without stressing him out, so she had to act fast. She ended up getting a team to help her get him off the tracks and it was only a few seconds before the next oncoming train would have hit them all. These kind of stories are just inspiring, not only because it's a story of safety and survival, but it's about different species helping each other. 

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    Cheezburger Image 10661821440
    via aeroanimalrescue
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    A bald eagle was struck by a train on Thursday and found on the tracks by an
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    officer with Prince William County Police Department. He appeared injured and
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    He appeared injured and unable to move, so the officer contacted local
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    wildlife rescue, AERO Animal Education and Rescue Organization.
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    Founder of the rescue, Olivia LoBalbo, immediately responded as time was not
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    on her side. "Vehicular strikes (even train strikes) are a pretty common
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    occurrence but in this case, we were on a time crunch because there was another
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    train on its way and we had to get him off the tracks before it did," recalls the rescue.
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    "Typically, we would assess the situation carefully, come up with a game plan,
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    and then go slow to not stress out the animal, and to keep our rescue team
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    safe. Unfortunately, as soon as she pulled up, they had less than two minutes to get him off the tracks."
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    0000000 400
    via aeroanimalrescue
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    Some quick thinking and cooperation from the eagle led to a safe rescue. "With
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    some skillful handling and a very cooperative Eagle (who very much understood
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    another train was getting close) they were successfully able to get him
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    wrapped up and caged, quite literally in the last few seconds before the train came."
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    The injured eagle was taken to Wildlife Vet Care to be examined and cared for by
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    Dr. Belinda Burwell. He is slowly improving and hopefully will be able to fly. once more.
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    He will be released back into the wild once he has fully recovered. Prince
    via The Animal Rescue Site

  • What would you do if you saw it? I supposed I would call a number but I think I'd be too afraid to get close to the bald eagle, and I would be afraid to get onto the tracks. But it just goes to show how people are willing to risk their lives to save others. It's truly remarkable and not everyone would do it for a bald eagle, or another animal. But here's to all the people in the world willing to risk their lives for the sake of others. 

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    William County Police Department thanked everyone involved in the
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    rescue on Facebook and wrote, "We spoke with AERO yesterday and confirmed
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    the eagle continues to heal and they are hopeful for an upcoming release. AERO – -
    via The Animal Rescue Site
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    Please know, our good thoughts are soaring your way!"
    via The Animal Rescue Site

  • There's something undeniably awe-inspiring about watching one glide through an open sky. Whether viewed as a national symbol or simply appreciated as an extraordinary wild animal, the bald eagle represents both the power of nature and its resilience when humans make a concerted effort to protect it.

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    Cheezburger Image 10661820928
    via The Animal Rescue Site

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