NYC honors transit heroes who helped save lives during Brooklyn subway shooting
NEW YORK -- MTA workers who helped save lives during Tuesday's subway shooting in Brooklyn were honored by the city on Friday.
Gut-wrenching videos and images of panicked subway riders escaping the northbound N train have appeared all over social media. But now we're getting to see the transit workers who brought them to safety.
"My main focus was to get my passengers, especially the children, to safety," one worker said. "They were crying, they were screaming. Keep them calm. As long as I remain calm, I can control them."
Motorman David Artis and conductor Raven Haynes were operating the train when the gunman opened fire as they approached the 36th Street station.
Haynes directed passengers off the N train and onto the R train across the platform while trying to keep everyone calm.
"My whole point was to make sure my riders were OK. At no point did I think about my own, personal safety. I just wanted to make sure my passengers were safe, they were calm and they physically got out of the area as quickly and safely as possible," Haynes said.
"I was shouting to the people, 'Get on the train, get on the train, get on the train!'" Artis said.
Train operator Michael Catalano and conductor Willy Sanchez couldn't make it to Friday's event, but they played a vital role as well. They evacuated riders from the 36th Street station on their R train across the platform from the N, according to the transit union.
"Thank you again to these amazing workers for what you did on that day and what you do for New York every day," MTA President and CEO Janno Lieber said.
Train operator Joseph Franchi and conductor Dayron Williams were also part of the heroic mix, letting passengers off at neighboring 25th street, ensuring everyone had safely left the station.
Bus operator Parla Mejia was also praised for packing her bus with frantic riders.
Mayor Eric Adams, who is recovering from COVID, joined the event virtually. Adams thanked the workers for their bravery and swift response.
"Your actions were indicative of what's great about the service that you deliver everyday, in general, but specifically the service you deliver during times of crises," Adams said.
The mayor also thanked passengers, nearby businesses and first responders for their actions on a day that many New Yorkers will never forget.