A colleague of d'Alessandro, who requested anonymity because Amtrak has forbidden employees from talking to the press, said d'Allesandro had been a hero. Though his arm was mangled in the collision, the co-worker said, he climbed under at least one of the two double-decker passenger cars that were crippled to close necessary valves - and to uncouple it to prevent the fire from spreading toward the engine.
D'Allessandro then walked the train, making sure people were off before accepting help, his colleague said.
One of d'Alessandro's fingers, though, was nearly torn off, said his niece, Michelle Childs of Elk Grove (Sacramento County). She said doctors were able to save the finger, and her uncle had surgery on his arm on Saturday. He expects to be released from the hospital in Reno and on his way home today.
"He was right in the same area where the conductor was that got killed. He's absolutely, totally lucky," Childs said. "He's going to make it, but it's going to be a long recovery."