WATCH: Shocking NYC Subway Rescue Caught On Video
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- An amazing rescue was caught on video.
A man who fell on subway tracks at a Brooklyn station was saved moments before a train arrived, CBS2's Jenna DeAngelis reports.
James Muhlon, 70, a flower deliveryman, lost his balance Tuesday afternoon at the Jay Street-MetroTech station. When he fell, he hit his head on the tracks.
Two good Samaritans, including Metropolitan Transportation Authority employee Roberto Ritcher, jumped onto the tracks and lifted Muhlon to the platform.
Video shows Muhlon barely moving and his head bleeding as he's lifted off the tracks, along with the flowers and a balloon he was holding.
The rescuers managed to climb back up seconds before a C train rolled into the station.
Muhlon is being treated at a hospital.
"There's no question that Roberto saved this man's life," Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Tony Utano said. "He's a true TWU hero. He relied on his experience and training to prevent what would have been a horrible tragedy."
"You don't hesitate when you see a helpless person like that. The way he was, the way I looked at him, and he was bleeding. It's immediate," Ritcher said.
The father of three heard a balloon pop, which drew his attention to the tracks where the man fell.
"That's someone's father, that's someone's son, you know. He's a 70-year-old guy. I was just like, I gotta get him out," Ritcher said.
At a news conference Wednesday, the MTA also recognized another employee, NYC Transit station cleaner Cha-Nikka Cheatham, who called for help and ran over with supplies.
"I saw blood everywhere. I gave Roberto all the cloths I had in my pocket, all the gloves. It was just natural instinct. It was scary, but it was natural instinct," Cheatam said.
"Cha-Nikka and Roberto have been heroes throughout the pandemic, and they will continue to be going forward," said Sarah Meyer, chief customer officer of NYC Transit.
"I would like to thank god for allowing me to have the privilege in helping and saving someone's life," Ritcher said.
Both the MTA employees say all they were hoping for during the rescue is that the victim would be OK.
Ritcher says he hopes to meet the other good Samaritan who helped him rescue Muhlon so he could thank him, calling him a great guy and a hero.
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