Bystander Jumps To Rescue Woman Who Falls On Bronx Subway Tracks
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Good Samaritan had a daring rescue story Wednesday night, risking her life to help police save a stranger who fell on train tracks in the Bronx.
As CBS2's Christine Sloan reported, Victoria Owusu-Afriyie had no time to think when it all happened Tuesday morning.
"I saw this woman -- she was on the track -- and I jumped down," Owusu-Afriyie said.
She jumped onto the tracks on the No. 2 Train in the Gun Hill Road elevated subway station. A 48-year-old woman – identified as Martina Pamplin – was on the tracks and barely moving after losing her balance and falling.
So Owusu-Afriyie grabbed the woman.
"When I touched the electricity, it went through me and I realized I couldn't help her," she said.
At that point, Owusu-Afriyie, a nurse, got back on the platform to make sure someone turned off the electricity. Police also arrived.
"Not until they actually shut off the electricity, then people were able to jump down and help her and pull her up," she said, "and then other people jumped down, and they helped her, and then an officer was giving her CPR, and they were able to help her, and thank God."
The shock that Owusu-Afriyie suffered was probably from the third rail, according to people who work nearby. They said both women were extremely lucky to get off the tracks alive.
"It could kill you. Touching that third rail can kill you," said Ronald Corbett of the Bronx. "She's a hero."
Owusu-Afriyie said she keeps thinking of the woman, who was rushed to Montefiore Medical Center in critical condition.
"Everybody was praying for you and helping you, and I hope you make it," she said.
Owusu-Afriyie also said she would do it all again.
"I don't know – maybe I had hoped someone would do the same for me, I don't know -- just wanted to help," she said.
And help she did, saving the life of another person.
CBS2 reached out to the hospital, but they would not provide a condition on the victim.
