EAST HARLEM, Manhattan (WABC) — Two police officers and a good Samaritan saved a man who fell from a subway platform onto the tracks on Thanksgiving Day in Manhattan.
Officers were patrolling the platform at the 116th Street station in East Harlem around 4 p.m. when they heard a commotion on the opposite platform.
“I noticed a few people on the train making noise and then I heard a loud scream,” said officer Brunel Victor.
Viktor and his partner Taufik Bokt didn’t know what it was, but immediately jumped into action.
Body camera video shows the officers racing up the stairs to street level, then racing through traffic to get to the opposite side of the platform.
“Then someone said to me, ‘Officer, you have two minutes, the train is coming.’ But I didn’t look back, I just jumped in,” said Officer Bockt.
A good Samaritan was already on the tracks, desperately trying to lift the victim. He was semi-conscious and could tell officers he was dizzy and in pain.
When Officer Bockt tried to get up, his gun belt caught on the platform. The train was going fast.
Bokt did not panic. A partner and a good Samaritan pulled him up.
“Our daily job is to help people. We don’t care if we have to hold ourselves accountable. That’s why we’re doing it, that’s why we’re taking on this job,” said Officer Victor.
The officers were deployed to the station as part of the Mayor and Governor’s Metro Safety Plan.
MTA Chairman and CEO Jano Lieber makes the following statement:
“The joint commitment by Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams to put additional NYPD officers on patrol at subway stations and on trains not only helps riders feel safer, but in this case empowers brave officers and good Samaritans – in the best tradition of New Yorkers help each other to save lives.”
The victim is expected to receive medical treatment and is expected to be OK.
As for the good Samaritan – the officers have no idea who he is. After he helped save the victim from the tracks, he boarded the next train.
“I just wanted to say thank you to him,” Officer Bockt said.
“It doesn’t matter what time it is, what holiday, I’m on duty. It is expected of me that I will perform my duties as best as possible,” added officer Viktor.
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