First responders hailed heroes after a SEPTA train rescue

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Some first responders are being hailed as heroes, for their quick thinking onboard a moving SEPTA train.

Officials say a passenger made a near fatal decision and jumped off a moving train.

It happened around 5 p.m. Thursday at the Angora station, just off 58th and Baltimore Avenue.

Scott Sauer of SEPTA said, "Fell backwards, struck his head and went to the hospital with some pretty serious injuries."

At this point it's unknown exactly why he jumped off.

But officials say it was at that moment he put himself in harm's way.

"When you leave something that's moving and you get to something that is not moving you're bound to lose your balance," Sauer said.

Luckily Good Samaritans onboard sprang into action.

One of them Middletown Township Assistant Fire Chief Mark Kirchgasser.

"There was a gentleman half on the tracks, half on the sidewalk unconscious," Chief Kirchgasser said.

He says there was no shortage of help onboard.

"Two nurses, a pediatrician, I got out as well. We attempted to make sure he was first alive. He was reacting as someone would with a brain injury so he was combative," Chief Kirchgasser said.

From what he was able to gather at the scene, he thinks the man was heading to the airport.

He likely jumped off because he was on the wrong train.

"And he had a boarding on him for a flight to Chicago at 8 o'clock." Chief Kirchgasser said.

Septa officials say this likely could have been avoided had this man not tried to jump off a moving train, so today the message is simply don't ever try to get on or off a moving train.

After the victim was stabilized by the volunteers at the scene, he was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.

He was seriously injured.

But Kirchgasser says without the help at the scene, it could have ended up worse and wants to thank everyone for what they did.

"I may see them on the train again sometime soon, but until that point, I wish them a lot of luck and thank them for the great work they did," Chief Kirchgasser said.

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