Citizens collect donations for woman hit by train

The North Jersey community is coming together to help a woman dubbed the “Miracle of Morristown” after she lost her leg in a horrific train accident.

A GoFundMe page set up last week to benefit 30-year-old Lisa Fitzgerald, who was struck by a train at the Morristown train station on May 4, has raised more than $75,000 of its $100,000 goal as of Tuesday. Proceeds will directly fund Fitzgerald’s ongoing rehabilitation as she recovers from her injury, the page says.

“It is extremely challenging for Lisa to once again become the active and fun-loving daughter, sister and friend we all know and love. But seeing Lisa smile fearlessly despite all the adversities inspires us all,” the post said. “Her kindness and generosity will give her the tools she needs to return to a normal life.”

Fitzgerald lived in New Jersey most of her life before moving to New York City about a month before her accident, said her sister Samantha, who organized the GoFundMe effort. She was on her way there when she was struck by an NJ Transit train at about 7:23 p.m. on May 4.

The incident remains under investigation, but it is believed to be the result of a “freak accident,” Fitzgerald’s stepmother Stacie told NorthJersey.com. Although Fitzgerald lost her left leg in the collision, she was able to save her life by pulling herself onto the platform and calling for help, the GoFundMe campaign said.

The train conductor notified Morristown police Officer Nico Hollain of the incident, and Hollain found Fitzgerald “bleeding profusely” with his leg severed on the eastbound platform, according to a Facebook post from the Morristown Department of Public Safety. Hollain applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding while two other officers arrived to administer first aid.

Fitzgerald was taken to the hospital as members of the Morristown Fire Department arrived to help. After the area was secured, firefighter Sean Gaffney crawled under the train to save Fitzgerald’s leg and gave it to medical personnel, the post said.

Doctors performed emergency surgery on Fitzgerald the night of the injury and re-amputated the knee several days later after determining her knee was beyond saving, the GoFundMe campaign said. As of last week, she is no longer in the hospital and is continuing treatment at an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

In an email to NorthJersey.com on Friday, Samantha Fitzgerald said the family is overwhelmed by the community’s response to the GoFundMe campaign to help them through these three very difficult weeks.

“The very generous donations not only give Lisa a chance for a better future,” she said, “but they have also shown Lisa and our entire family that there are so many compassionate people out there who are rooting for her.”

Lisa Fitzgerald surprised her family with her positive attitude throughout the recovery process, her stepmother said. She celebrated her 30th birthday two weeks after the accident with a “glamputation” theme, complete with decorative banners and signs hanging in her hospital room.

Lisa also hopes to eventually return to her athletic interests, her sister said. Over the years, she has volunteered at several Special Olympics events; now she wants to train for the Paralympics.

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