Too Close to the Platform Edge

At the Union Square station yesterday, a man was hit by an approaching southbound 4 train. The Post reports that he had been swaying on the platform but managed to survive (possibly because the train was slowing down?). Oh, and it's "unclear whether the injured man was under the influence of alcohol or drugs." That could be why he was swaying - but people love standing near the edge and who hasn't been overcome by smells and heat in the subways? At any rate, he's very lucky.

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By Jen Chung in News on August 18, 2006 8:45 AM

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James Patrick

aaaaaand he'll be suing the MTA. Remember the "Bible Belt"?

jmchez

I feel your pain, Herchel. I've been caught in massive delays caused by a suicide, twice! Once on the subway and another on the Metro North. That last one had me getting home almost more than one hour late because upstate there are only one set of tracks each way and the police investigation and body removal (ghastly sight) took that long.

Later I found out that the suicide was only 18 years old. He had had drug problems and his parents had kicked him out that very same day. I made myself a good strong drink and called my loved ones when I got home.

Michael Dietsch

I saw this guy. I was on the train that hit him, and he fell to the platform right outside my train car. He was bleeding from the head and arm, and although he was conscious, he looked really dazed--although whether that was from concussion or intoxication, I don't know.

Some random man from the train moved the guy's right arm and leg away from the very edge of the platform because it wasn't immediately clear whether the conductor and the train operator knew about him, and had the train moved on, the guy's arm or leg could have gotten caught. Had he been dragged by the train, that probably would have killed him.

I was surprised by how many people went for help, and I was impressed by how quickly the MTA got people down there to help the guy out.