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NYC Subway Hero Saves Teenager
January 5, 2007 1:31 AM

From here in the Big Apple, an amazing story:

A New York City construction worker has been hailed as a hero after rescuing a student who had fallen onto the tracks at a New York subway station.

Wesley Autrey jumped onto the tracks and rolled with 19-year-old Cameron Hollopeter into the trough between the rails at 137th Street station.

Mr Hollopeter, who had suffered a medical problem, was rescued just as a train was coming into the station.

Two cars passed over the men before stopping just inches above them.

Moments after the train came to a halt, Mr Hollopeter asked if he was dead, Mr Autrey said.

"I said: 'You are very much alive, but if you move you'll kill the both of us.'"

Mr Autrey, a 50-year-old father of three and a navy veteran, said of his actions during the incident on Tuesday that he was doing what anyone should do in the same situation.

"I'm still saying I'm not a hero... 'cause I believe all New Yorkers should get into that type of mode," he told US TV on Thursday.

"You should do the right thing."

As rewards came tumbling on Mr. Autrey (ahem...cough-cough), this quote captures the true spirit of this great Metropolis:

Mr Autrey said he had been offered cash, trips and scholarships for his two daughters, who were with him at the time of the rescue.

"Donald Trump's got a check waiting on me," he said. "They offered to mail it; I said no, I'd like to meet the Donald, so I can say: 'Yo, you're fired.'"

GOTTA LOVE NEW YORK, BABY!


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My son is a young doctor completing his residency at NYU. So I have just returned from this wonderful city having spent both Thanksgiving and Christmas with him. Now coming from the South, I have to be honest and tell you that New Yorkers DO NOT show any hospitality. They are the most unfriendly people! But perhaps it is because "way down yonder in New Orleans" we are known for our Southern Hospitality! I note this because ~ having just experienced what we from the South consider very "strange" behavior made reading what Mr. Autrey did even more heroic (if that's possible) in my opinion! People don't even offer a seat to old ladies on those subways nor do they smile and make conversation while waiting on a train. And yet this man risked his life for a perfect stranger! What a wonderful testament to the human spirit! And my only disappointment in all of this is "awarding Mr. Autrey with a free ride on the subway FOR ONE YEAR!!!" COME ON - MAKE IT A LIFETIME FREE PASS!!!! He's 50 for goodness sakes and he RISKED HIS LIFE TO SAVE ANOTHER!!!! He deserves to ride free for the rest of his life, don't you think!?!?!? I do love New York and have thoroughly enjoyed my visits. Can hardly wait to return but had to voice my opinion - let's join forces and try to get this man a free ride forever, don't you think??!?! Thanks, Diane Spieler

- Posted by DIANE SPIELER - January 7, 2007 6:20 AM


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