NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 29: Commuters wait for the subway August 29, 2011 in New York City. One day after Hurricane Irene hit New York the mass transit system, including subways and buses, began moving again in a limited capacity in time for Monday’s rush hour. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photo: Joe Raedle/2011 Getty Images
The MTA balked at the cost of installing platform railings, doors, or wireless video feeds to prevent subway deaths, but a station cleaner used a much cheaper tool to save the life of a drunk man who fell onto the tracks at 53rd St. and Lexington Ave. Wednesday night. Anthony Larocca stumbled onto the tracks around 8 p.m., just as an E train was approaching. Station cleaner Antoine Taylor quickly signaled the motorman with an MTA-issued flashlight, and the train stopped about 225 feet from where two riders were helping Larocca back onto the platform. “I was just doing my job, doing what I was trained to do,” Taylor said. “Some people stepped up as well. It wasn’t just me. I’m just glad that he made it out safe.”
