Father killed while saving his daughter from an oncoming train as they played on the tracks

A father was killed as he saved his 10-year-old daughter from the path of an oncoming train in Chattanooga, Tennessee last week.

Justin McCary, 31, was looking for rocks along the train tracks with his daughter Haley and niece on Thursday when the three of them heard a train speeding towards them.

McCary's niece was able to get away in time but when his 10-year-old daughter's foot became trapped in one of the tracks, McCary rushed to save her.

He was able to free his daughter by pushing her over the bridge but sadly he was hit by the train and killed.

The 10-year-old suffered a broken pelvis and internal bleeding after falling 15 feet into the water below. WRCBTV reports that she had surgery following the fall and is expected to be OK.

A GoFundMe page has since been set up to help support Justin's wife Elizabeth and his daughter Haley who is still recovering from her injuries.

The GoFundMe says that Justin did not have life insurance and that the family is in a time of financial strain.

'We have an update on our little Haley Bug. She started doing small exercises today but she still can't get out of the bed just yet. She can eat anything she wants now but they are having to ease her into it. She is improving and getting better with every day that passes! She is a strong little girl but she still needs everyone to pray for her recovery! We appreciate all the love and support we are recieving from the community! As soon as we know anything else we will update you on her condition,' said the fundraising site of Haley's condition.

So far the family has raised $3,250 of their $10,000 goal. 

Neighbor Donna Edwards spoke with WRCBTV who said that she thinks most parents would have done the same thing.

'I think that any of us would have done the same thing. Our hearts go out to them. It's just sad that something like this had to happen' Donna Edwards said.

Edwards said that while McCary did a heroic thing by saving his daughter, she wonders if the accident could have been prevented by playing with the children in a safer location.

This is the second incident to happen on these tracks in just three months. 

In July a train hit a stolen box truck that was parked on the tracks and the crash damaged a guardrail from the walkway near the tracks.

With the guardrail destroyed there was no safety barrier to protect pedestrians.

The train conductor is being interviewed by police but any charges have yet to be filed. see more photos after this cut...