Gothamist: Two People Struck By Downtown 1 Train

Ron

Thu, 04 Jan 2007 09:28:47 -0500

wesley autrey is a real life super hero

S.D.

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 09:17:34 -0500

Today, Newsday has a great photo of Mr. Autrey on the cover. Hearing him on TV this morning was great. He was downplaying it like it was no big deal. Honestly, The world needs a lot more people like him.

carolitajohnson

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 19:53:15 -0500

The thing for a regular person (ie. without military training) to do is to run to the station master or yell for someone to do so, so they can stop the train before it arrives. From what I read, there was time to do this. Ordinary people shouldn't take the risk, as they are less likely to be effective. (I was wondering what the news people were doing there this afternoon!)

Margaret

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 18:39:46 -0500

That's amazing...that guy has a whole butt load of good karma coming his way. His daughters are going to be telling that story long after he's gone.

Elderta

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 17:08:58 -0500

Great going, Mr. Autrey! I agree, mihow, with your sentiments.

k

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:56:50 -0500

Wow - I have read that if you are stuck on the tracks and can't get off in time you should flatten yourself between two tracks and will be unharmed by the train. i'm surprised the train was high enough for two people to fit as well! I bet that the seizure guy's injuries were related to his fall, not even to the train passing.

S.D.

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 16:34:50 -0500

... Wesley Autrey deserves a medal for doing that! But I bet his 2 daughters had 10 years scared off their Lives... IMO, It's great to know there are people out there like him. I'm glad both are OK.

Peter

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:55:19 -0500

don't know about 137th, but I know a lot of stations along the route have places you can safely stand and wait for the train to pass, then small ladders at the end of the platform if you're near it. Some stations do have safety niches, or sufficient space between the tracks, but not all. Something not everyone realizes is that the hollow space under the platform does not provide enough room for survival. As for the ladders at each end of the platform, keep in mind that subway platforms are 600 feet long. Unless you're quite close to the end of the platform you probably won't be able to outrun the train.

Jen

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:47:16 -0500

Wow - Autrey sounds amazing. It sounds like he had some experience in tough situations and saw someone who did need help. And apparently he was with his daughters, too!

SubwaySue

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:45:28 -0500

What I don't understand is, why the eff are there no ladders? A few lousy metal rungs at one or two intervals and problem solved...

mihow

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 15:20:12 -0500

I find this story absolutely fantastic. For every horrible murder, beating, gun battle that takes place in NYC, there are random acts of kindness as well. I'm moved. I wish there were more stories like this one.

kevin bracken

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:55:33 -0500

I don't know about 137th, but I know a lot of stations along the route have places you can safely stand and wait for the train to pass, then small ladders at the end of the platform if you're near it. I would probably yell at the person to wait, which seems like the right course of action.

agree saltpeter

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:39:01 -0500

I suggest people carry some rope to assist in getting a person off the tracks and on to the platform. As we age, we don't have the upper body strength we had in our teens. You remember the times when jumping up on to a stage was easy or doing some chin ups were a piece of cake. Nothing like seeing a subway coming to add to the fun.

Peter

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:29:10 -0500

People have climbed down onto subway tracks thinking that they'll be able to climb back up to the platform when the next train is approaching. Sometimes they'll go onto the tracks for really silly reasons, such as retrieving dropped items. The problem is, climbing back onto the platform from track level is very difficult, all but impossible for many people. It's a lot farther up than it looks.

Peter

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:28:06 -0500

Helper

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:12:44 -0500

Of course I would help -- but before I jump down on the tracks it only makes sense that you verify you won't get killed yourself by doing so.

Samantha T

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 13:39:15 -0500

"Would you help another subway passenger if you were in the same situation?" I really don't know. Probably not. I wouldn't risk leaving my husband without a wife and my parents without a daughter to help a stranger. I know that's selfish, but I think that's the calculus I'd do if faced with that situation.