We’ve all had our fair share of close shaves, but most of us are lucky enough to have never been in a life-threatening situation.

It’s impossible to imagine what it must feel like to face death head-on – but that’s exactly what happened to one man in California.

66-year-old Jonathan Mata was taking an early morning ride in his wheelchair when the worst happened: his chair got caught on train tracks.

Unable to wiggle himself free, Jonathan watched helplessly as a train approached him at high speed.

It looked like it was all over – but then, at the very last minute, a miracle happened.

Close by, patrolling the area of Lodi Avenue and Sacramento Street, Officer Erika Urrea of the Lodi Police Department noticed Jonathan in the corner of her vision.

Immediately, the situation hit her: Jonathan was facing imminent death if she didn’t act fast.

The northbound train was seconds away from making impact. The crossing was now closed off to the traffic, but Jonathan was helpless.

It’s a terrifying situation to be involved in, but Officer Urrea didn’t think twice. She quickly climbed out of her patrol vehicle and raced to the man’s aid.

Officer Urrea’s bodycam footage captures every tense second as it unfurls.

Officer Urrea can be heard frantically asking, “Can you get up?” When she can’t get his chair loose, she grabs hold of Jonathan and pulls him out of his chair.

The train barrels into Jonathan’s chair, and Officer Urrea screams, “Get up, get up, get up, get up, get up!”

The pair fall backward, and for a second, it isn’t clear exactly what has happened.

Then Officer Urrea’s bodycam footage focuses on Jonathan – and thankfully, he appears to be okay.

Officer Urrea yells out that she needs an ambulance, and the footage ends there.

Speaking to NBC Nightly News, the brave officer admitted that watching the footage back was difficult.

She said:

“Honestly, it seems like I’m watching someone else’s video. It’s very surreal … it was scary to watch.”

After the incident, Jonathan was taken to hospital. The train had struck his legs, and one had to be amputated, while the other was badly fractured.

He was in a bad way, but he was stable – and it was all thanks to Officer Urrea’s heroic actions.

To help him with his medical bills, a fundraiser was set up by Jonathan’s granddaughter, Ruby.

The page read:

“My grandfather’s automatic wheelchair got stuck in the train tracks in Lodi, Ca and his life was saved yesterday by a brave police officer named Erica Urrea. We are so thankful for her courageous act of heroism and we know that God put Officer Urrea in the right place at the right time. Heroes truly do exist, and thanks to her, my grandpa is alive and breathing.”

Generous donations from the public helped Ruby meet her $10,000 fundraising goal.

Later that year, Officer Urrea was recognized for her actions by Amtrak Police Department.

She was awarded the “Life Saving Medal” for rescuing Jonathan. She still tries to downplay what she did, saying that she hopes anyone else would do the same.

No matter how humble she might be, Officer Urrea is a true hero in this story. You can watch the terrifying bodycam footage in the video below.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Lodi Police Department/ YouTube, NBC Nightly News, My Positive Outlooks, GoFundMe