SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) -- A Springfield Police Officer has been recognized for his heroic actions in helping save a man's life a few months back.

On July 2, Officer Matthew Torres responded to an accident with injuries near the intersection of South Wirt Avenue and East Stuart Street. A 911 caller reported that a vehicle had struck the railroad tracks, causing a male occupant to be ejected from the vehicle. The caller further advised that the male had sustained a severe leg injury.

Upon arrival, Officer Torres located the man, identified as Willie D. Crawford, lying just east of the railroad tracks. He saw that Crawford's right pant leg was torn with fresh bleeding below the knee, and that a bone was protruding through the fabric.

Officer Torres recognized the severity of the injury a

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