Teen Dies Saving Girlfriend From Train

Two stories of heroism and sacrifice from last week:

• As Mickayla Friend and boyfriend Mateus Moore walked along the train tracks Friday night in Marysville, Calif., on their way to a school dance, they paused to take a picture. Moments later, a train barreled toward them both—and Mickayla's family tells KCRA and Fox 40 that Mateus pushed Mickayla out of the way. It hit them both, but Mateus died, while Mickayla is alive in the ICU. Despite Mickayla's serious injuries, her mom says the 16-year-old told her, "I remember Mateus turning and looking back. I remember him pushing me out of the way of the train." A witness says he saw the same thing: "They would have both been underneath that train if he didn't push her out of the way at the last second." Mateus' dad says he's proud of his son.

• Michael Tingling was walking home from school with 15-year-old daughter Masharah, as he did every weekday in Chicago, when they were confronted by a man dropping racial slurs and making "inappropriate gestures" at the 8th-grader Wednesday afternoon. Tingling immediately pulled his daughter behind him, authorities say, as suspect Joseph Firek allegedly started hitting Tingling in the chest. Tingling retreated as Firek pursued him, but later collapsed, went into cardiac arrest, and died at a hospital. Firek, who is said to be mentally ill, has been charged with murder and a hate crime. "My dad always encouraged me to believe in my dreams," Masharah tells the Chicago Tribune. "I am going to make him proud."

Click for the story of an 11-year-old boy who died rescuing his 7-year-old sister after she was pulled underwater last week. (More timeless news stories.)