A quick-thinking New York City subway conductor is being praised for his bravery after rescuing a 14-year-old boy who fainted and fell onto the tracks at Queensboro Plaza during a rainstorm.
Ray McKie, 37, was on his way back to work on August 20 when he suddenly heard frantic screams coming from the elevated platform. Looking down, he saw the teen lying unconscious on the northbound tracks as a train approached.
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“The whole thing happened so fast. I just went on instinct,” McKie told People.
With the ground slick from heavy rain, McKie rushed forward, signaling to the train operator to stop. By then, another bystander had already jumped onto the tracks, adding urgency to the moment. Without hesitation, McKie climbed down, hoisted the unconscious boy, and helped the other passenger scramble to safety.
The teen began regaining consciousness shortly after but remained disoriented. McKie stayed by his side, talking to him to ensure he stayed alert until emergency responders arrived 18 minutes later. Thankfully, doctors confirmed the boy had suffered no lasting injuries. Witnesses later said he fainted before tumbling onto the tracks.
In a moment that cut through the tension, the teenager’s first concern was his sneakers. McKie smiled and reassured him: “Don’t worry about your sneakers. You’re fine. You can clean them off.”
At home, McKie’s family has been celebrating his heroism. His six-year-old daughter proudly told him, “Daddy, you’re the best New York boy in the world,” while his fiancée—who is expecting their second child—reminds him daily that he saved a life.
McKie, who has been with the MTA for nearly two years, credited his quick response to his instincts, his training, and his New York upbringing. But he also acknowledged the group effort. “I was happy I was there,” he said, grateful that timing allowed him to act when the boy needed help most.
