Subway Samaritan Describes Heroic Rescue Of Man On Tracks
January 03, 2007
Wesley Autrey says he knew he was risking his own life when he jumped onto the subway tracks at the 137th Street and Broadway station Tuesday, trying to save a complete stranger who had collapsed after having a seizure.
“I jumped in; I stood over him; I try to pull him up, but his hand is wet – we’re slipping,” Autrey said, describing the harrowing experience. “Each time I look the train is getting closer. I’d reach down, it would slip again. The train’s getting slow, so the last time I just grabbed ahold of him, locked his legs in ‘cause he was still kicking. I didn’t want the man to lose any limbs, so I just grabbed him, hugged him, bear hug as tight as I could and we both fell. I felt the train graze my hat; I bent lower. One train car went by and I knew I was OK.”
Autrey says his two young daughters were petrified when they saw the train roll over their father and film student Cameron Hollopeter.
Wednesday afternoon the two were reunited at St. Luke's Hospital where Hollopeter was being treated for minor injuries.
Autrey escaped without even a cut.
Hollopeter's father was overcome with emotion after the meeting.
"Mr. Autrey's instinctive and unselfish act saved our son's life. There are no words to properly express our gratitude and feelings for his actions,” said Larry Hollopeter.
“He was very happy. He shook my hand. His father had tears in his eyes. He grabbed me, we hugged. I kissed him outside. It was a very touching moment. That’s something that you don’t see. Not many people would risk their life to what I done today.”
Many have heard of Autrey's heroism and say they wonder if faced with the same scenario, whether they would be brave enough to do what he did.
Autrey says it's not even a question.
“I'd probably do the same thing again. I'm that type of person,” said Autrey.
Autrey’s mother says she was not surprised to hear what her son had done.
“I just said, ‘thank God that you’re alive and the lord had you in the right place at the right time to help other people,’” said Mary Autrey. “I said, ‘keep doing what you’re doing. God will be with you.’”
Autrey says the two families are making plans to get together, without the media, at some point in the future.
– Lindley Pless
*************************************************************
Subway Samaritan Receives Hero's Welcome At City Hall
January 04, 2007
The subway Samaritan was welcomed as a hero at City Hall Thursday.
Wesley Autrey was greeted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, two days after saving a man who had fallen onto the tracks at the 137th Street station. Autrey was given a medal, 12 free unlimited ride Metrocards and a trip to Disneyworld.
He says while the honors are nice, he was just doing what anyone would have done.
"I wasn't expecting any of this," said Autrey. "The free ride for the whole year. I mean, I'm grateful for everything. I guess good things happen when you do good, and that's what I'm saying. All New Yorkers, we need to do good.
Autrey's also making the TV rounds, taping an appearance on the David Letterman Show.
Cameron Hollopeter, 20, suffered a seizure and when he fell off the platform. That's when Autrey jumped into action, squeezing himself and Hollopeter into a small space between the rails, barely avoiding an oncoming train.
The Hollopeter family has nothing but thanks for Autrey. In a statement, they said Autrey is “a hero in every sense of the word, and truly a blessing from the Almighty. He deserves all of the attention and the accolades that are now being bestowed upon him.”
They say Cameron and Autrey had a very emotional and private meeting Wednesday.
The family says they are grateful to everyone near and far who have expressed their best wishes to Cameron.
|
