An off-duty EMT saved the life of a commuter who was struck by an oncoming train at the 86th Street Station on New York’s Upper East Side Tuesday.
The man fainted and fell onto the subway tracks where he was struck by the train, which cut off his leg, PIX 11 reports.
Volunteer EMT Matthew Tirschwell of the Gotham Volunteer EMS had just returned from Los Angeles when he heard screams and sprang into action.
The victim, a 40-year-old Bronx man, lost his leg in the accident but survived thanks to Tirschwell ’s quick response. With his medical gear on hand, including a tourniquet, Tirschwell jumped onto the tracks after the third rail was deactivated and stopped the victim’s bleeding within moments.
Witnesses say the victim appeared to have a medical episode before falling. FDNY firefighters arrived 15 minutes later and transported the victim to a hospital.
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