Wesley Autrey is the MAN!
by David Benzion · 01/03/2007 10:36 amWho the Man?
Wesley Autrey the Man:
A hero construction worker left his two young daughters on a Harlem subway platform and leaped into the path of an oncoming train yesterday to rescue a stranger who had fallen on the tracks.
“Tell my little girls that Daddy is OK!” Wesley Autrey shouted from under the No. 1 train after it screeched to a halt. It was just inches above him and the film student he pushed into the trough between the tracks.
Amazingly, neither Autrey nor the man he saved, 20-year-old Cameron Hollopeter, was seriously injured, even though the train grazed the construction worker’s wool cap.
Wesley Autry–the MAN!
As Autrey was going through the turnstile, he saw Hollopeter having a seizure…Autrey and two women ran to his aid… Hollopeter stumbled and fell onto the tracks as the southbound train rumbled in.
“He landed between the tracks,” Autrey said. “Do I let the train run over this guy? I saw the ladies had my two daughters, so I hopped over on the tracks.
“I saw these two lights coming toward us and I tried to get him up, but he was fighting me.
Hollopeter “was kicking his arms and legs,” Autrey said. “I didn’t want his arms and legs cut off. I knew the train was going to go over us, so I took him, I grabbed him and we fell down.
“I wrapped my arms and legs around him and tightened up. I had to lock my whole body.”
He maneuvered himself and Hollopeter into the trough between the tracks, where “we maybe had one or two inches.”
Autrey said that all he remembered is the sound of the screeching brakes replaced with the screams of his two daughters.
“I’m OK,” Autrey shouted from underneath the train.
No Mr. Autrey–you’re more than just “OK.”
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Wesley Autry is the MAN! He is more than OK! Not many folks would have even tried.
Leaving your little kids to help a total stranger … amazing compassion and courage. Dare we even say love.
What a wonderful story! Yes Virginia, we ARE our brothers keeper. If everyone had this mans’ spirit, the world would be a much better place.
Kudos to those women too, who looked after his girls. AND his mother, who obviously raised him right.
These 4 people understand that we are all in this together.
I’m opposed to cloning.
Except for Jack Bauer and Wesley Autry.
We need more just like him. God bless.
Truely a great American.
Would I have? Truly, I don’t know.
Would I have had the strenght of character this man showed. I pray I would, but I do not know.
Lately, after reading the news that is filled with filth and garbage, especially about movie stars whom I don’t even know, I often find myself in a deep depression. Then I read a story like this and my spirits soar and my faith in humanity is once again restored.
Well, he’s very brave, but if I had two young daughters who were depending on me, I would definately NOT have jumped in front of an on-coming subway train for a stranger! Sorry, my daughters are far more important.
Now, if either of my DAUGHTERS had fallen in, then yes, of course, I would have jumped in to save THEM. Wouldn’t even hesitate. Obviously.
What if he had been decapitated by that train? Then his daughters lose their father? No, not worth it.
#9
I guess thats why he’s a hero….
There are still real men left. These are the kind of people that should be our focus. HERO!
Luckily there are GREAT men out there to help stupid NYU film students.
Oops read the WHOLE article. The student had a seizure.
Hey lively
Even is the man hadnt had a seizure, falling would make him stupid?
WOW. He is a hero.
Reminds me of a couple of guys that jumped into the water (and swam towards) to pull the kid out of the mouth of a shark.
I’m thankful no one was hurt. It’s always great to see someone put John 15:13 into action. Our deployed military does this every day. “Greater love has no man than this - that he lay down his life for his friend.” That Wesley Autry did it for a stranger is nothing short of awesome!
#9
One of the things that make this man a hero is that he did what he did knowing the risk involved. He didn’t weight the cost, he didn’t stop to judge the positives or negatives, he saw a person that needed help and he helped. This is what makes him a great American, the kind of person that at one time defined most Americans.
I know some will ask if they would have done this or would they have just stood there. Know one really knows until it happens but most of us would like to think we would act. I do not think I could sleep well knowing my failure to act allowed the death or serious injury of another person.
I have also known people like thunderhawk that always claimed after thinking a situation over that they would not have done whatever it was that occured, only to see the person act without hesitation when the time came to act.
WOW great story
eric,
Article 3 Section 1 of the document:
“A person who is or has been subject to the applicable laws of one Party and who resides in the territory of the other Party, as well as the person’s dependents or survivors who reside in the territory of the other Party; shall receive equal treatment with nationals of the other Party in the implementation of the applicable laws of the other Party regarding entitlement to and payments of benefits.”
sure sounds to me like that is giving Mexican nationals SS benefits.
Sorry, posted that to the wrong thread.
Numbers 19 and 20: duhmoose
Duh! You sure as heck did, but thank you, I’m still laughing.
#9 - So I guess you would never be:
1. a soldier
2. a fireman
3. a policeman
4. feel free to add to the list those people that put their lives (and the livlihoods of their families) on the line EVERY day for strangers.
Way to go Wesley.
22 Well, that’s a good point. All of those people do risk their lives everyday. I guess I see a difference between the soldiers, firemen, policemen who make a conscious decision every single day to go out and protect and defend people, as opposed to someone who makes an outrageously reckless, instinctual reaction with his two kids standing right there.
All of society benefits from the bravery of those you mentioned above. I just don’t see all that much return on this guy’s investment of risk to save one guy, prone to repeated seizures.
As far as the subway’s go, it’s always amazed me that more people are not shoved, pushed, or thrown in front of them as they speed into a station. There isn’t even a railing there. It seems like a perfect way for gang members to stake out an area as their territory, or for someone to conveniently get rid of an unwanted spouse. It is New York, after all.
#23 - I guess you are also one that would be for the type of medicine that Europe practices. Taking a CPA’s look at the cost vs outcome. There are many people in the world that do the right thing on the spur of the moment without stopping to think whether or nor it might negatively affect them. Let’s hope if you or one of your family needs the help of your fellow citizens that the person that is there does not take your cynical view and simply leaps in to help save your loved one (even if they were prone to some type of medical disorder).
Some people just can’t stand there and watch someone die, no matter the risk. The student is someone else’s child too. To risk one’s life for a complete stranger goes far beyond what the average person sees him/herself capable of. Good job Wesley!
So, DanielJames, if I wouldn’t risk my life, and risk leaving my children fatherless, I’m not a “real man”? Interesting.
Let’s not be judgmental about who or if you would do the same thing as Mr. Autry. You weren’t in the situation at the appointed time, so you can’t tell what you would have done. However, let’s give credit where it is due. It was a truly compassionate thing to do. Mr. Autry was brave enough to assess the situation for what needed to be done at that very moment and he did it courageously in the true spirit of caring for another person without giving thought to his own welfare.
I saw him on TV this morning. Who knew that a “regular guy” would turn out to be a hero?! Wish there were more like him out there!
Dear Mr. Autrey,
You are an IMPRESSIVE human being. Peace and many blessings to you. Sonja
Mr. Autrey, You are a TRUE Guardian Angel!! You are a man of Honor and Valor!!
You are the BEST!! May the good Lord Bless you for your unselfish act, and for your outstanding compassion for your fellow man!!
You are also an EXCELLENT Father setting the BEST example for your two beautiful children!!
Please Visit my website for a FREE Bible study!!
http://www.freewebs.com/lordstruevineyard
With much love for you!!
From Bible Teacher
Cj. Clayton
It’s refreshing to see somebody do the ‘right thing’ unselfishly with no second thoughts for what may be in it for them. His parents did an OUTSTANDING job and he has redefined ‘Integrity’ to a higher level of performance.
Mr. Autrey, thank-you for making me proud to be a member of our human race.
Mr. Wesley Autrey for President ‘08
This is the type of character we need in the “office”.
I was one of the first to recognize the value of this breaking story, so immediately I fabricated a pair of cufflings featuring Wesley Autrey and put them up on eBay for sale. I am a struggling 80 years young artist seeking recognition. If you would like to see the cufflinks click on the following:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HAIL-TO-THE-HERO-WESLEY-AUTREY-CUFFLINKS-by-Gourdji_W0QQitemZ120071440226QQihZ002QQcategoryZ10294QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
As far as Wesley is concerned he is my hero beyond the shadow of a doubt, but . . . The but is it’s too good to be true? Could it be a publicity stunt? But how can you doubt it? If it was I instead of Wesley, by the time I would have figured out what I had witnessed and as to weather there was anything I could do about it believe me Cameron Holopeter would have been history. Don’t forget I am 80, and don’t think as fast as I used to, but even if I could I would have just stood on that subway platform and watched in horror. Who would dare jump in front of an oncoming subway train? Wesly did. The story is too unbelievable and Wesley is going to be everyon’s hero until the end of time. God bless!
Superman is for real.. Now Superman is in Newyork.. What a superb man came down to earth to let us know that superman is here.. God bless you! man..
A truly brave and decent man. Just watched some unedited footage shot as he exited the station. It took 20 minutes to get him and the fellow he saved out from under the train. News crews were following him on the street and among other great things he said the following comment may help in understanding this great act of bravery.
“I had my two daughters with me and I didn’t want them to see someone run over by a train”.
Yeah Superman was there.
Mr. Autrey,
I watched the press conference with Mayor Bloomberg and also saw you on David Letterman and each time I was uplifted by the story and your humility with which you have handled the overwhelming media coverage. I pray that all of the attention will not change you and that you & your daughters will be able to return to a normal life. God bless you for being a fine example of selflessness. May we all be encouraged to give a little of ourselves each chance we get.
I am appalled by # 33 for using this forum to try to make a buck on someone else’s courage!
This story makes me cry with joy for such a one to so unselfishly do what he did. What an example for everyone, young and old, whatever race, whatever religion. This was true love for a fellow man, and something I will never forget. I truly wish that I could shake his hand. I cannot, but I can thank the Good Lord and pray His blessing upon Mr. Autry and his family. This man belongs in the White House!