By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com
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The Oprah Winfrey Network won’t debut until January but representatives from a show set to air on the network spent several days in Cleburne filming the victim of a train accident and a Cleburne firefighter.
The segment, to air on a date to be determined, focuses on Truman Duncan, who used his cell phone to call 911 after a train ran over his legs in 2006. Against all odds, Duncan survived the ordeal and later returned to work at Greenbrier Rail Services, where the accident occurred. Cleburne Fire Department Lt. Scott Lail, who also works for CareFlite, was one of the first responders to arrive at the accident scene.
Randall Sullivan and Indre Viskontas share hosting duties on the show called “Miracle Detectives.”
“It began as ‘Mircacle Detective,’ which is the title of one of my books,” said Sullivan, who also serves as an executive producer on the show. “And I tell Indre she’s the ‘S.’ The show examines cases that some people would consider miraculous. I’m coming from the side of believing in miracles, and Indre is the skeptic.”
Sullivan’s background includes writing for “Rolling Stone” and authoring several books, including an upcoming tome on Michael Jackson.
Viskontas’ resume includes a doctorate in cognitive neuroscience from UCLA followed by an appointment to the University of California at San Francisco’s Department of Neurology. She’s also an opera singer, having performed throughout America and Europe.
“Miracle Workers” marks her “first gig in unscripted TV,” Viskontas said.
Six episodes of the show have been ordered and filmed, both said. Each will contain two “miracle” segments per episode, they said.
About 60 people filled the Cleburne Performing Arts Center on Wednesday to supply an audience for a taping of the show.
Lail ran through part of a presentation he and Duncan deliver to EMS workers and other medical personnel throughout the country before introducing Duncan on stage.
“It’s really a miracle because Truman’s injuries should have been fatal,” Lail said. “Yet, you’ll never meet a guy with a more positive outlook on life given the obstacles he had to overcome.
“It also teaches us [rescue workers] never, no matter how bad the injuries appear, to give up on a patient. When we saw Truman was willing to fight, we were willing to fight, too.”
Arriving on scene, rescue workers expected to find Duncan dead but were shocked when he talked to them, Lail said.
“I don’t know who was more scared, him or us,” Lail said.
Discussing the 911 call he made while his legs were tangled under the train wheels, Duncan said he believes the 911 operator was as surprised that he managed to make the call.
“To be as calm as possible and not be screaming, ‘Oh my God, I just got run over by a train,’ ” Duncan said when an audience member asked what was going through his mind during the 911 call.
Another asked how long it took for help to arrive.
“Forever,” Duncan said with a laugh. “I don’t think it actually took too long, but it seemed like forever.”
