Man on the Tracks…

Feb 26, 2015 @10:00am:

Late to work today because a man fell on the tracks and was hit by the R train I was on. First time I’ve evacuated the subway to a sea of first responders who deserve nothing but respect.

Just before Union, my subway train stops abruptly accompanied by loud noises of what sounds like steam air being compressed by machines on both sides of the subway car.

The emergency brake had been pulled. A first time for me living in Brooklyn and traveling on the subway daily for the past 13 years.

A few minutes went by with no announcement. When there was one, the guys voice was shaky and he opened with a lot of “Uuuu”’s and “Ahhh’s” and clearing his throat.

Then. “Ladies and Gentlemen, I apologize for the abrupt stop and inconvenience. A customer has fallen onto the tracks in front of us and the train conductor pulled the emergency brake to stop the train. He’s currently on the tracks assisting the customer. We’ll update you shortly”.

We all perked up.

The train had pulled halfway into the station when a man fell onto the tracks and the conductor pulled the emergency brake. The train went over him but he survived. “It was a close call, but the man lived” said the conductor (who humbly apologized to everyone walking out of the train and explained to groups of us passing by what had happened). I saw NYPD and FDNY were on the tracks pulling the man off as I was exiting the station.

After the man was sent up the stairs on a stretcher, MTA and police were still sandwiched in-between the subway car and the platform… telling people where everyone was under the train.

All we experienced was a little power outage for 20 minutes while they shut the track juice down and let the pros do their thing. Then we walked single file out for a while to see the first responders coordinating their efforts.

Makes me feel lucky to be alive… and lucky to live in a place where you get to see MTA hero’s like that conductor jumping in while NYPD and FDNY bravely jump on the tracks and pull everybody out safely.

A little subway city drama to start my day at 9:00am… get’s you thinkin’.

ABC Eyewitness News and NY1 both interviewed me below with additional quotes if interested...

Man Run Over by Subway at Union Street Station Suffers Minor Injuries (VIDEO)
http://bit.ly/manonthetracksABCnews

Brooklyn Man Survives With Minor Injuries After R Train Passes Over Him (VIDEO)
http://bit.ly/manonthetracksNY1

Updated Feb 27, 2015 @12:14pm:

This is WAY TOO CLOSE to the edge
It’s one day after my experience on the R Train. I took a pic this morning of a dude in my station standing way to close to the edge. Moments later a train pulled in. Oy…. next time I think I’ll say something.