The woman wouldn't move to get out of the way of the train, but she stepped on the gas when she saw this crazy guy running at her car with a 'weapon'. She hit the gas and the arm swung as it was designed to do. She pulled ahead and then stopped. The guy ran up to her and apologized for scaring her, explaining that he was going to try to release the kid.
He said she kept apologizing, saying she didn't want to break the barrier. So, she was trading her life and that of her child for a crossing arm.
Sue
That sounds to me like someone who froze in a pressure situation.
It also sounds like everyone got really lucky.