W
hat would you do if you were pushed or fell onto the subway tracks?
In 2013, in one month, five people fell onto the subway tracks in New York City, costing four of them their lives. One person was pushed by a deranged, homeless man. Though he begged and pled for help in getting back onto the platform, no one could or would help him. Another man was pushed onto the tracks by a woman off her medication. A young woman in her early 20s who was drunk fell onto the tracks, and on the same day two men from Harlem fell onto the tracks — one survived and one didn’t. The Bible tells us God has numbered our days. None of these people knew it was their last day to live, and we don’t know how much time we have either, so we need to be prepared.
Proper Preparation
Knowledge of a few simple survival techniques would have saved their lives. If you should have the misfortune to fall onto the tracks or need to help someone who has fallen onto the tracks, there are four things that you can do to save yourself.
If you have time, run to either end of the platform where you will find four steps leading back up to the platform. It might be a staircase or a ladder, and even though you can’t see them from the platform because they extend back into the tunnel, every platform has them. If you have a minute or two, this is the safest way to get back onto the platform.
Your next best way of escape is to stand between the pillars on the other side of the tracks. There should be a space large enough between them for you to fit into and hold on. However, beware of the third rail! The farthest rail away from the platform is called the third rail, and it is electrified. Do not touch it, or you will be electrocuted! Step onto the wooden rail above it (or better yet, step OVER it) and move between the pillars.
The third way to avoid being run over by the train is similar to the second way. Some stations do not have pillars — instead, they have indentations in the wall for workers to crouch into when a train is coming. This is where you should go if you don’t have time to run to either end of the platform. One thing you should be aware of — some of these indentations say “NO CLEARANCE,” which means that if you stand there, you might get hit by the train anyway.
The fourth way of escape is the most dangerous and should only be used as a last resort. Only do this if the train is bearing down on you and you only have a few seconds to react. In between the two tracks there is a space — lay down and flatten yourself as much as you can. Don’t move! There are about 9 inches, give or take, for the train to go over you. However, this is very dangerous, as the train’s undercarriage has moving parts, some of which hang down. Only do this as a last chance to survive.
Some stations have a drainage trench which will give you more room. This is how Wesley Autrey saved another man’s life. He noticed 20-year-old Cameron Hollopeter having a seizure and then falling backwards onto the tracks. Just then, the headlights of the No. 1 train appeared. Wesley Autrey made the split second decision to jump down onto the tracks and push Mr. Hollopeter into the drainage ditch and then lay down on top of him, thus saving both of their lives. Other than a few bumps and bruises, they emerged unscathed.
Saved From Destruction
Because Mr. Autrey knew what to do, he was able to save himself and a helpless stranger. Before a righteous God, we are all helpless, lost sinners, unable to save ourselves. There is a danger far greater than falling onto the train tracks hanging over each one of us. It is the wrath of God towards a sin-saturated world that is at enmity against Him. But God sent His Son to die and shed His blood on Calvary’s cross and provide a way to escape the penalty for our sin. “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)). Because God loves us, He offers a sure way of escape for all men! “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified [made right with God] by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him [Jesus]” (Romans 5:8-98But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8‑9)).
Each minute, hour or day that we live, God is giving us an opportunity to repent of our sins and turn to Him for salvation. The wrath of God means spending eternity separated from Him forever without a chance of escape, where “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Luke 13:2828There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (Luke 13:28)). Don’t neglect your soul’s salvation or put it off! God’s Word tells us, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)).
Knowing how to escape a subway disaster is handy. Knowing the way to escape the looming penalty for sin is essential. Read more in The Five W’s and Salvation.