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Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) Senior Vice President of Subways Demetrius Crichlow presented NYCT Cleaner Angel Oquendo with a Certificate of Commendation for rescuing a customer in distress at the 25 St  station in Brooklyn on Tuesday, May 30. 

Oquendo was cleaning glass along the southbound platform just before 8:30 a.m. when he heard a loud noise, turned around, and saw a man on the tracks. He immediately ran over and reached down to pull the man off the tracks and onto the platform seconds before a southbound  train pulled into the station. Oquendo then asked a nearby individual to push the Help Point button and notify the station booth agent and the NYPD. The perpetrator boarded a southbound  train and a suspect was later arrested by police at the 36 St  station. 

“Having employees like Angel is a testament to the great work that all NYC Transit employees do every day,” NYCT Senior Vice President of Subways Demetrius Crichlow said. “He was just going about his duties and didn’t look for any sort of acknowledgment. We appreciate him and everything that he does.” 

“I thought this would be a normal day, but I saw someone who needed help so I did it,” Angel Oquendo said. “I would do it again if I had to.” 

This is not the first time Oquendo has been recognized for his heroism at the MTA. The 16-year NYC Transit veteran was honored by Governor Kathy Hochul and MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber for assisting customers to safety during the April 2022 subway shooting in Sunset Park. 

Link to April 27, 2022 Commendation Ceremony