To honor two Bronx heroes for their action in saving a five-year-old girl from underneath a subway train, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted a ceremony on Wednesday morning.
On Monday morning, a 45-year-old father jumped in front of an oncoming Manhattan-bound No 4 train at the Kingsbridge Road station while holding his 5-year-old daughter, authorities said.
“The man I saw jump had a little girl in his wrist, and in his arms. Next thing I know, he and she jumped,” witness Jennifer Hub told CBS2.
There were at least 20 to 30 people screaming when a man with a white shirt, Jairo Torres, jumped down to rescue the little girl.
“I was paralyzed at first, just like everyone,” said Torres. “But then I just jumped. … I didn’t do it to be a hero—it was immediate.”
Just when Torres was attempting to carefully guide the little girl out from beneath the subway train, Antonyo Love, who was downstairs at the time, ran up to the platform and jumped onto the tracks to help Torres.
The father was killed, but the little girl escaped with minor physical injury.
After Torres and Love explained in detailed to authorities about what they had witnessed, the Bronx Borough president expressed his distress.
“Just listening to their version, I am full of fear. I am full of grief and pain,” Diaz said.
Calling them the “Batman and Robin” of the Bronx, Diaz praised them for their courage and presented each man with a Citation of Merit.
“They didn’t ask for this attention, but today we lift these men up as living examples of true courage and an inspiration to our entire borough. An innocent child now has a second chance at life thanks to these men, and I thank them on behalf of The Bronx for their bravery,” said Diaz.
When Diaz handed Torres and Love the Citation of Merit, Torress said with a tear, “I’m so happy. Not about this moment, not what I have in my hand—it’s that the baby is good, she’s still alive”.