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Good Samaritan Hit By Train Trying To Help Drunk Off Train Tracks, Drunk Guy OK
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 9, 2012
Modified Jan 9, 2012
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By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 9, 2012
Modified Jan 9, 2012
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A Good Samaritan is in critical condition after getting hit by a Staten Island Railroad train while trying to help an inebriated man climb up out of the tracks early Sunday morning. Steven Santiago, 39, spotted the stupid drunk man on the tracks at New Dorp around 1:30 a.m. and decided his life was worth saving, so he climbed down to try to help. The intoxicated man had apparently gone down onto the tracks to retrieve his shoe, and then couldn't get back up. MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz tells the Staten Island Advance, "This good Samaritan apparently went down to assist him, and unfortunately was struck by a train."
Santiago managed to get the drunk guy out of danger, but he wasn't able to save himself before a Tottenville-bound train came barreling down the tracks. The train "slammed" into his head, the Daily News reports, and he was rushed to Staten Island University Hospital North in critical condition. Santiago's brother Edwin tells the News, "He is in a pretty bad shape right now. I leave it in God’s hands."
The unidentified drunkard was treated for minor injuries. At press time, it was unclear if he got his shoe back.
Tagged
MTA
staten island railroad
trains
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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