NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- MTA officials honored an NYC Transit subway conductor and a train operator for their work in helping to save a person who was spotted on the tracks last week, and providing face-to-face assurance for those stuck onboard.
Video of the incident captured the hard work of Mandy Harford, who walked through the entire L train to assure customers that police had been notified of the incident, and that they would get back in motion as soon as possible.
"I wanted to make my presence feel more personal than professional. I wanted the passengers to know they were not alone," Harford said. "People can get anxious when their train is stopped, and I thought, if my loved ones were on this train, they would want the person-to-person communication to make them feel safe."
The service disruption came just before the 9 a.m. rush hour on Nov. 23, when Tamika Waller reported a person on the tracks near the First Avenue L train station in Manhattan.
Waller reported the person to the Rail Control Center, and requested Manhattan L trains be held in place. Power was removed from a section of track so that police could respond to the area.
“I just did my job. I saw the passenger on the catwalk, and I immediately stopped, but he kept walking. I called it in like I was supposed to. And I really think Mandy did the most,” Waller said. “I kept an eye on him, he somehow got out of our sight, winded up onto the next track, which was Mandy's train.”
Officials told the train’s crew to get the person to board, but they would not. Harford then lost sight of the person, but passengers saw them run to the platform and out of the station.
Service resumed about an hour after the service disruption began.
“What was really surprising is how everybody was calm,” said Sean Yox, who shot the onboard video. “Everyone was really calm, and people started chatting, being friendly, just showing that New York has this great spirit, where people in times of struggle can show how they can be friendly and communicative and helping each other. And we really wanted to help Mandy because she really helped us be calm and had us going back home safely at the end of the day.”
Yox’s eight-minute video shows him walking and talking within his train car, and shows as Harford comes and talks to his car, explaining that the power was turned off, and would have to be turned back on.
“I apologize sincerely, we’re in this together!” she said in the video. “As soon as I get information, I’m going to keep coming to each car and let you guys know.”