There’s nothing a Jersey Girl can’t do.
That sentiment was borne out true in early May when a 29-year-old woman from the Garden State was hit by a train and saved her own life.
Lisa Fitzgerald was hit by a New Jersey Transit (NJT) train at the Morristown station in northern New Jersey on May 5. Lisa’s mother-in-law, Stacey Weil-Fitzgerald, told Fox News Digital that it was “pouring rain” the night of the horrific accident and Lisa was waiting for a train to New York City.
“It was a freak accident… somehow she fell under the train,” Weill-Fitzgerald explained. “Her leg was immediately amputated.”
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Lisa Fitzgerald is being praised for her bravery after escaping a horrific train crash in Morristown, New Jersey. (Stacey Weil Fitzgerald)
Her mother explained that the train was still coming into the station when she was hit, and she was hit by the last few carriages of the train.
“She climbed up onto the platform and waited on the tracks,” Ms. Weill-Fitzgerald explained. “Poor thing, she crawled over on her own.”
“She said, ‘I was so scared my hair was going to get caught in there and get sucked in. [me back in]”So she waited for the train to stop, then she leaned out onto the platform and started screaming for help,” she added.
Weill-Fitzgerald told Fox News Digital that several people passed her at the Morristown station and ignored her screams, and Lisa wasn’t helped until an NJT employee noticed her.
“Her leg was completely severed. She was bleeding and she started screaming for help,” Weil-Fitzgerald explained. “And then a New Jersey Transit ticket agent showed up and he was in complete panic.”
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Lisa Fitzgerald, one of eight children, is recovering from a traumatic train crash. (Stacey Weil Fitzgerald)
“She said, ‘I need help you in 10 seconds,’ and she started screaming, counting, ‘One, two, three,'” she explained. “Luckily, two officers from the Morristown Police Department heard.”
Lisa attempted to wrap a tourniquet around her leg with her own T-shirt until officers came to her aid. The Morristown Department of Public Safety (MDPS) confirmed the incident in a Facebook post.
“When I come into contact with a woman, [an officer] “Officers observed that the victim’s left leg just above the knee had been severed from the body and was bleeding profusely,” the MDPS statement read. “Officers quickly applied a tourniquet and applied pressure until the bleeding stopped.”
Members of the Morristown Fire Department (MFD) also arrived on scene to assist officers and recover the missing limb, which was located underneath the train and released to medical personnel.
“The actions of Officers Hollein, Sellick and Moran undoubtedly saved this woman’s life,” the agency added. “They demonstrated unwavering calm, facilitated quick and effective decision-making and provided comfort and support to the victim.”
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A New Jersey Transit (NJT) train struck Fitzgerald (left) at the Morristown, New Jersey, station on May 5. (Google Maps/Getty Images)
Weill Fitzgerald told Fox News Digital that Lisa’s sunny personality shone through even in the tragic circumstances.
“She was totally sane and joking,” she said. “She was like, ‘Take me to the hospital. I can’t die like this.'”
Lisa was taken to hospital where she received treatment but was unable to reattach her leg. A GoFundMe set up by her sister has raised more than $77,000 so far.
The tragic incident happened just two weeks before Lisa’s 30th birthday party, which was cancelled and a “grandparents” party was held instead.
“We decorated the hospital and had a big celebration for her,” Weil-Fitzgerald said. “She’s doing great. People have been so supportive on GoFundMe, it’s been really amazing. We’re really happy.”
One of eight children, Lisa has been dubbed the “Morristown Miracle” for surviving the attack and showing strong will and tenacity throughout her recovery.
“She’s incredible,” said her proud mother. “She has a smile on her face all the time.”
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Lisa Fitzgerald’s family threw a “grandparents” party for her. (Stacey Weil Fitzgerald)
Fox News Digital reached out to the New Jersey State Transit Police.
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