Bystander Pulls Off Daring Subway Rescue

Commuter Jumps Onto Tracks To Save Teen Who Suffered A Seizure

(CBS/AP)  A quick-thinking commuter saved a teenager who apparently suffered a seizure and fell onto subway tracks in Upper Manhattan, by jumping onto the tracks himself and pushing them both between the rails, beneath the oncoming train.

Cameron Hollopeter, 19, of Littleton, Mass., fell onto the tracks at Broadway’s 137th Street station Tuesday. Another subway passenger, 50-year-old Wesley Autrey of Manhattan, was standing on the platform with his two daughters whom he was taking home so he could go to his construction job.

When Autrey saw Hollopeter fall, he quickly took action and left his daughters to jump on the tracks to bring the man to safety as an oncoming train approached.

"I didn't want the man's body to get run over,” Autrey said. “Plus, I was with my daughters and I didn't want them to see that."

Autrey jumped down onto the tracks and initially tried to pull Hollopeter up to the platform but had to decide whether he could get him up in time to avoid both of them getting hit.

"I was trying to pull him up, but his weight [was too much] plus he was fighting against me — he didn't know who I was,” Autrey told CBS station WCBS-TV.

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Autrey spoke to co-anchor Hannah Storm on The Early Show about his heroics. To see the interview, click here.

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Autrey said the man was still moving violently from the seizure, so he pulled him into the center of the tracks — away from the high-voltage third rail — and laid on top of him. "The only thing that popped up in my mind was, 'OK, well, go for the gutter,'" Autrey said. "So I dove in, I pinned him down and once the first car ran over us, my thing with him was to keep him still."

The subway trough between the rails, which is used for drainage, is typically about 12 inches deep but can be as shallow as 8 or as deep as 24, a New York City Transit spokesman said.

The train's operator saw someone on the tracks and put the emergency brakes on. Two cars of the train passed over the men — with about 2 inches to spare, Autrey said — before it came to a stop.

Autrey's daughters thought the train had killed their father and the teen, but were relieved to hear their father shout up from under the train that the two were fine.

Hollopeter, a student at the New York Film Academy, was taken to a hospital, where he was in stable condition with only minor injuries.

Hollopeter's stepmother, Rachel Hollopeter, said Autrey was "an angel."

"He was so heroic," she said early Wednesday in a telephone interview. "If he wasn't there, this would be a whole different call."

Onlooker Patricia Brown said Autrey, a Vietnam War veteran, "needs to be recognized as a hero." Others cheered him and hugged him outside the train station.

The incident took place around 12:45 p.m. Service on the line, which runs between the southern tip of Manhattan and the Bronx, was suspended for about 45 minutes.

[gmcnally2]

Nice Work, Wesley. Credit to Amercicans.

[clestes-2009]

Way to go, Wesley!

[jetlizhan]

so wonderful to read a story with a happy ending- Mr. Autrey, you are indeed that boy's angel.

[ademeyer]

Wow!

[invisivale]

Mr. Autrey you are amazing! What a good man you are. I admire your courage. I am sending all good wishes your way. Lots of love from Scotland!

[galoux]

Such courage! You are a true hero, Mr. Autrey. Bless you always.

[thursday24]

It is so refreshing to see a story like this in our world today. It just proves that people with love in their hearts still exist. Way to go, Mr. Autrey!! What an amazing man.

[landsloth4]

I would love to see CBS create a scholarship fund for his daughters. I would contribute.

[colbyharris7]

If Donal Trump is really looking for good people to employ, here he is! Some smart employer should recognize a fast thinker and high-quality character. Congratulations! You are a hero in the truest sense of the word.

[mbelledu]

This is the best news I've read in months or maybe years. It is also news with significant meaning. Here, at last, is a real hero in the media: quick, common, decent sense. Our entire country needs desperately to learn how to "go for the gutter" in this kind of way. One Mr. Autrey is worth all the politicians, vacuous celebs, special war task forces combined. You go!

[mary_king]

This is the bravest man I ever heard of. May God bless you, Mr. Autrey!

[gkingdom]

I would love to write to this man, or send him something for his daughters. I have never heard of an act more heroic.

GK

PS: How can we get in touch with him?

[ladyephesus1]

God bless you Autrey and many blessings to come!!

[planoudakis]

How incredibly refreshing and heart-warming to read something so positive! I would add my applause to others who have posted here and would also agree that this sort of person should be encouraged by something positive being done for Wesley and his family.... not because he would have done what he did with reward in mind, but because he deserves the recognition and encouragement which will hopefully also encourage others to consider going above and beyond the norm for others.

[kfho]

Extraordinary! Reading of Mr. Autrey's act of spontaneous selflessness brought tears to my eyes and quickened my pulse... and I'm a 6'4", 205#, former football player... who are, incidentally, in no way, shape or form REAL heroes in the sense that this man is... Bravo and Boomer Sooner.

[jmann27273]

Most Americans would have stood there and watched the boy die, including myself. Congratulations Sir, you give us all hope to know that truly honorable people still exist. A man like you will likely know that your true reward is in knowing what a magnificent thing you have done.

[akclet]

Finally, a true hero. Not a musician, actor or athlete with phoney contrived heroics. This is the kind of heroism that should be applauded and celebrated. Isn't amazing that true heroism always has this element of self sacrifice and risking all to help others? This is the same kind of sacrifice that our troops also exhibit on a daily basis. God bless Mr. Autrey!

[labettis]

Thank you Mr Autrey, you are a true American Hero! And thank you CBSNEWS for reporting this wonderful story!

[jsosse]

Mr. Autrey, you're so much more than a hero. You are a decent human being and that's all the difference from the rest of the world. I'd get out of my way just to shake hands with and congratulate you, as you are rare.
Greetings from as far as Brazil, which is where I am, and probably is not as far as your story will reach.

[gwen916]

Thank you,thank you,thank you!!!!! God Bless you for caring about that young man. God Bless you for protecting your children from a potentially traumatic and life-changing experience. God Bless you for putting humanity back into human. God Bless you for you!!!
Sending you huge hugs and blessings from Newfoundland Canada
Wendy

[yada_999]

Mr Autrey, you are the true superman. I will definitely chip in as well if any kind of fund get setup.

[darkfyreaol]

This is the first act of UNcommon decency and selfless consideration I have seen the media report in over six years.

If there were more people like this bystander, the world would truly be a different place.

[crystalblue3]

What a wonderful man! A true hero, 100% and I hope Bloomberg does something to recognize this amazing example of humanity and selflessness!

Thank you for showing us all what "it" is really all about, Mr. Autry.

[bonzer74]

While we all suffocate in our own exhaust, Wesley takes a deep breath and rescues us all. Thanks Wesley.

[edjohn66]

Mr. Autrey,

Thank you for your service to your country in Vietnam, and thank you for your service to humanity in the NYC subway system.

You are an example and inspiration to us all.

[kailumego1]

What a truly magnificent person, a 200% angel, it's so refreshng to read an article that captures the good in all of us. He is sent from God, a true humanitarian, bless you always.

[m_kotyk]

2007 starts on a good note. Thank you Mr. Autrey!

[mick7744]

This is a man! He saw what needed to be done and he did it. To risk a horrible death like that to save a stranger is what it really should be all about...but so rarely is.

Mr Autrey, I feel better knowing that there is at least one person out there like you.

Thank you for that.

[lisapenguin]

Dear CBS: PLEASE report more of these types of stories! The country desperately needs the inspiration of such GOOD news. Most news just makes me groan and shake my head... but this made me want to stand up and CHEER! Hurray! God bless Mr. Autrey, and thank you CBS for telling us about him.

[mpetrilak]

...and yet, people will still deny that there IS a God...who serves us through the unselfishness of the people with whom we live day to day. I thank God for creating people like Mr. Autrey. He met the test at a time when others would falter.

[bwell2day]

What a magnificent hero!

And you white racists like that idiot Seinfeld comedian Richards should be ashamed of yourself.

A black man was brave enough to risk his life for a white man in trouble.

Do you racists feel stupid now?

[feedback3-2009]

The word hero is very overused these days. For those who need a reference, THIS is a true heoric act. Bless you Wesley!!

By the way, for the person who somehow connected this to racism, YOU are the only racist I see here.

[obiwan234]

It does my heart good to read such stories. Wesley, you are a hero in every possiable use of the word and I lift your name in prayer of thanksgiving. I don't know if there is a cilivian medal for "Heroic Valor", man you deserve it. God Bless.

[stubs_5]

Best story I've read in a while. Way to go Wesley!
Way to go CBS for reporting it.

mpetrilak & con_dik_kikr,
It astonishes me that you've used such a great story about human strength to insult others and incite controversy. you should be ashamed of yourselves. It is your posts which preempted me to sign up. (this is my first post).

[goldsummer]

Its people like Mr. Autrey that make me truely believe in angels on earth in human form. What this man did was without regard to his own safety and was done in the blink of an eye. That is true heroism.

[brijarjo3]

May Mr. Autrey always remain in the presence of the Lord..... I am sure his assigned earthly angel was with him every second and provided him strength and wisdom to save another human being's life... life..something that we all seem to take for granted these days without thinking about the possibility of losing it at any given second...

[kiwi_chick]

This is a most wonderful story. Mr. Autrey is to be commended for his bravery and yes, he is a hero. His daughters and his entire family must be very, very proud of him.

[jrr4christ]

Mr. Autry, you are what makes this country great and it is an honor and a priviledge to have read your story. You have been a hero at least twice in my eyes. First, when you served our country in Vietnam, and once again, when you rescued this young man from certain death.
I am a Vet. and I have had the chance to meet heroes, Medal of Honor recipients, and you certainly belong with that group of man. Some people perform heroic acts out of pure instinct, very few make a calculated decision to risk their life for a fellow human being. You will receive your reward in heaven, until then, may God bless you and your loved ones abundantly indeed.

[tweety3319]

GOD BLESS YOU MR AUTREY AND YOUR DEAR ANGELS WHO WATCHED AS THEIR FATHER WAS TRUELY HEROIC AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AND KEEP YOU. YOU MAY NEVER RECEIVE A TREASURE HERE ON EARTH FOR WHAT YOU DID BUT YOU WILL IN HEAVEN ONE DAY. GOD BLESS.

[yourpointis]

Once a Hero, ALWAYS a Hero!!! Bless you......

[luvny-2009]

con_dik_kikr - NO but you should

I never gave it a thought whether the kid he saved was while or black or purple. Who cares, what he did was amazing. Had they not shown Mr. Autrey's picture who would have known he was black or white or purple and who cares if the kid was black and Mr. Autry was white. Quit trying to start problems and take anything away from what he did.

[dnehme]

With all the bad in the world it was wonderful to read this story and to know that there are still good people in the world who are selfless like Mr. Autrey. God Bless you!

[drhunter530]

This is the way it should be. There are so many of us who will never know if we have what it takes to do what Mr Autrey did. Now he knows. You are a true hero. Absolutely amazing!

[hrdstonewall]

Amazing. God has certainly something very specially planned for young Cameron as he specifically placed Mr. Autrey to guard over him at that precise moment. Just another way God makes his presence know to everybody. My respects to CBS for not letting such and act of valor fall into the everyday white noise. Everybody, let's write to NY congressmen and Mayor Bloomberg to request their help in getting Mr. Wesley the highest commendation possible. I doubt if I would have the courage to leave my two daughters and jump in front of a speeding train to save someone I know nothing about. It comes as no surprise, that such selflessness and magnificent courage comes from a war veteran trained by The United States Military, we should all feel proud of the American Spirit and Code of Honor upheld by our military personnel and vets, regardless of our political affiliations or opinions, our soldiers, seamen, marines, airmen and vets are the world's finest and that is a fact.

[hrdstonewall]

Everyone, please write NYC's Mayor Bloomberg at :

http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html

and ask him to give Mr. Wesley the highest accolade possible. It costs you nothing and will get recognition to someone who definetely deserves it.

[biztechlink]

Wesley - YOU are an incredible person and a true hero!

[stubs_5]

con_dik_kikr,

I was referring to your insult to those who don't believe God exixts. Why do you have to bring that up instaed of complement the man for his heroism?

Nice story, can you imagine jumping in front of a train? I think I would have had to come home and change my shorts

[mick7744]

Agnim:

You would try to suck the joy out of anything. As bad as reading your hate-filled babble is, it must be really horrible BEING you.