Johnson — working an overtime shift at the Franklin Ave. stop during the busy West Indian Day Parade in Crown Heights on Labor Day — showed up about a half hour early to his 3 p.m. shift to
familiarize himself with the station.
But Johnson, 63, who’s been with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for 18 years, ended up accomplishing something that seems impossible in order to save a life: stop a moving train.

“I could hear the train. I hear the wheels screeching, coming around that corner,” Johnson, who lives in University Heights in the Bronx, said. “My first response was to jump in the middle of the track and waive that train down.”
And it worked.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS HOMETOWN HEROES IN TRANSIT RULES
His bravery was lauded by the Transport Workers Union Local 100, which nominated Johnson for the Daily News Hometown Heroes in Transit award.
The Hometown Heroes in Transit award honors subway and bus employees like Johnson — workers who are fearless in the face of danger and go the extra mile to help the riding public.
The News is accepting nominations for MTA workers deserving special recognition through Dec. 18. In February, winners will be honored at a ceremony hosted by The News and its partners in the Hometown Heroes in Transit awards — the MTA and TWU Local 100.
“When Local 100 teamed up with the New York Daily News to create the first Hometown Heroes in Transit Awards in 2012, the idea was to honor unheralded bus and subway workers who demonstrated extraordinary bravery, dedication, professionalism and selflessness,” TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen said. “Station Agent Ralph Johnson truly fits that description. He is a Hometown Hero.”
The station agent, who didn’t even put on his safety vest, was able to grab the motorman’s attention and make eye contact.
The train stopped about 25 yards from Johnson and the woman who fell to the tracks.
No comments:
Post a Comment