Most of us are five days into the new year and already disgusted by the negative news bombarding us: Trump and Rosie, encephalitis scares, the sanctity of the our mail in question, Lindsay Lohan’s appendix, and more troops on the way to Iraq, to name just a few. So when a feel-good story comes along, especially here in New York, well I just want to shout to the world about it. Why? Because we need more positive stories, particularly ones that show we New Yorkers are more kind and generous than our reputations that have painfully preceded us.
Submitted for your approval (with apologies to Rod Serling, I’ve always wanted to say that) the story of one Wesley Autrey, a New Yorker who has been dubbed “subway savior” and “subway saint” by the media here in New York. The fifty-year-old construction worker was on his way to work on Tuesday morning and somehow stepped through the looking-glass into the world of notoriety and celebrity. All of this did not come cheaply, for when the proverbial chips were down, Autrey literally jumped into action.
While waiting for the subway in the 138th Street station in Harlem, Autrey (who was with his young daughters Shuqui, 6, and Syshe, 4, at the time) witnessed twenty-year-old student Cameron Hollopeter fall off the platform into the path of an oncoming train. In what MTA Executive Director Elliot Sander hailed as “a death-defying act of bravery,” Autrey leaped from the platform to the tracks, pushed Hollopeter and himself into a well, and held the young man down as the train raced into the station.
When Mayor Bloomberg bestowed the Bronze Medallion (the city’s highest civic award) on Autrey in a ceremony at City Hall yesterday, he said Autrey “makes all of us proud to be New Yorkers.” I certainly agree with that and will even take it a step further: Autrey makes us all aware of something called civic duty, something that has been painfully lacking in the world around us. His actions are laudable because they are so infrequent, and yet there is in such behavior the thing that just might make others change their ways.
Educators often talk about “teachable moments,” and this rescue by a regular fellow going about his everyday routine definitely qualifies as that. It’s a lesson in courage, in love of one’s fellow human beings, and in shedding that selfish shell that many of us tend to ensconce ourselves in on a day to day basis. Mr. Autrey didn’t stop to think about much before leaping into action. He didn’t have time, for one thing, but he also ignored his own safety and reacted.
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Article comments
1 - Elvira Black
Nice tribute, Victor. It was good to see a positive story in the midst of all the usual local/national/international war, crimes, scandal, etc. I think Donald Trump should have given Mr. Autrey more than 10 grand--to my mind, he's much more of a role model than Miss America--lol.
Thing is, I do see New Yorkers doing "mitzvahs" on a daily basis in little ways. If someone is in distress on the street, generally New Yorkers will rush to their aid. At least, that's been my observation. But this was truly extraordinary heroism.
And I do agree that "good things happen when you do good"--not in terms of the awards, TV appearances, and so on that Mr. Autrey will now enjoy. Rather, I fervently believe in karma, and that even the small deeds that go largely unheeded do tend to come back around sooner or later.
2 - Diane Kristine
Great article with a great message. I'm not sure I'd jump in front of a train to rescue someone - and I'm enough of a klutz that if I did, we'd probably both get squished - but all of us can aspire to do the right thing, the selfless thing in life, and if Autrey can help us remember that, he's even more of a role model.
3 - tink
Bravo to Mr. Autrey for 'doing the right thing' and also to you Victor...for doing the same in your own way to ensure that others will hear about his actions.
If indeed we learn by example, then this is the type of "news" that we all benefit from. Much more enlightening than all the muck and mire that is the norm. Perhaps if more of the media focused on the good instead of the bad, the whole world would be in a better place.
4 - Victor Lana
Thanks for the comments. I had to write about this guy because he is so inspirational and honest and just a great New Yorker. And I do agree with you, Elvira, that there are a lot more people out there in this city that are similarly willing to help out those in distress.
Personally, if someone from Denmark can't find the Met or Radio City, I have no problem walking him/her all the way there because I have been treated the same in many other countries.
5 - Howard Dratch
Who would have thought with all the bad press of decades past that this kind of day-to-day guy metamorphs instantly into a heroic figure in New York -- the City that invented not showing compassion for the other guy?
Something may be changing and for the better.
Or, it may be that there are good people left in the world, some fine ones and some fearless & heroic. Then we have reason left to hope for a world populated with people filled with courage, compassion, loyalty and bravery.
What a great thought.
6 - Zedd
I was thrown back by Trump giving him $10,000. It seemed to be an insult and a belittling of the value of his good deed.
7 - Roger H Frost
Praise to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
James 5:16 is true
God Bless the Subway Savior and all those that show the grace bestowed on us by the Lord.
8 - claude
I wrote a song about Wesley's heroic action that saved Cameron's life. Wesley was the right person at the right time, truly a heroic Subway Samaritan. here is the link to the song "A Hero's Call"