Hero used body to shield 12-year-old girl from passing train, saving her life, family says

The child’s grandmother called her survival ‘a true miracle’ NewsWorldAmericasHero used body to shield 12-year-old girl from passing train, saving her life, family saysThe child’s grandmother called her survival ‘a true miracle’Erin Keller In Ohio Wednesday 18 February 2026 14:42 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoveropen image in galleryDalton McMillen (right) was killed in Marion while shielding the granddaughter of a longtime family friend from a moving train (GoFundMe)Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreAn Ohio man is being hailed as a “hero” after he died in a tragic train accident while shielding a 12-year-old girl, according to reports.The incident happened Friday night in Marion as 12-year-old McKenna Whitted and longtime family friend Dalton McMillen, 33, were walking near railroad tracks on their way to a nearby store to buy candy.Whitted told her grandmother, Angel Franklin, that McMillen, a father of a 10-year-old boy, used his body to shield her after they were both pulled under a passing train, according it WSYX. The train reportedly caught McMillen’s jacket and pulled him away, killing him.“She wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for him. He was just an amazing person,” Jeremiah Haile, McMillen’s roommate, said. Whitted was severely injured in the accident and is recovering at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. She is expected to return home in the coming days.open image in galleryDalton McMillen (right) was killed in Marion while shielding the granddaughter of a longtime family friend from a moving train (GoFundMe)“It’s a true miracle she’s here,” Franklin said about her granddaughter. “It’s still a little touch and go with the brain bleed and the concussion, but it looks promising.”Franklin and Haile have urged others to show more caution around railroads in the future, especially after the crossing gates come down.“It’s not worth it, just to save some minutes to get home. It’s not worth it. I’m afraid of trains now,” Franklin told WSYX.Friends and family have since created separate GoFundMe campaigns for Whitted’s medical expenses, as well as McMillien’s funeral costs. “My brother Dalton McMillen died admirably and is a true hero for laying his life down to save a child,” Holly Wheeler-McMillen wrote. The campaign has raised more than $2,500 as of Wednesday,open image in galleryWhitted suffered a brain bleed and concussion but is now showing signs of recovery at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (GoFundMe)Meanwhile, Jovi Whitted, McKenna’s mom, described her daughter as “the most spunkiest (sic) funniest kid u will meet full of life.” “She needs a good support team and friends and family to be with her,” Jovi Whitted added. The campaign has raised more than $600 as of Wednesday.The incident remains under investigation. More abouttrain accidentheroOhioJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesCommentsMost popularPopular videosBulletinRead next