Newkirk Subway Rescuers Named Brooklyn Heroes

DITMAS PARK, BROOKLYN — The MTA worker who leapt in the path of an oncoming train to rescue a woman standing on its tracks and the train's conductor who hit the brakes just in time were named Brooklyn heroes by the borough president Thursday.

Tony Mannino, 54, and Larry Moreno, 50, were both honored with "Hero of the Month" awards after a daring Newkirk Plaza station rescue on Aug. 7 that concluded with a massive train coming to a screeching halt three feet away from a dazed woman standing on the tracks, said Eric Adams.

“These individuals stepped up when they were needed most," Adams said. "We are proud to have these heroes representing our borough."

Mannino, a signal maintenance worker with 23 years on the job, was working on nearby tracks when screams alerted him that something was wrong and he darted to the northbound platform to see the woman on the tracks.

Mannino worried the Q train conductor wouldn't be able to stop in time once he saw the woman, who climbed down mid-platform, because the Newkirk Plaza stop is at the bottom of a small decline and at the end of a curve, he said.

What he did next was "pure instinct," Mannino told Patch in August. "I had to save this lady's life."

He jumped onto the tracks at the platform's end where the conductor would be better able to see him and signaled for Moreno to stop.

"It didn't scare me," said Mannino. "I just had to act."

Mannino waved his arms then jumped out of the way when Moreno pulled on the brake, both men hoping momentum wouldn't ram the massive train into the woman.

"All I could do was hope," Moreno said at the time. "I'm just praying to god: Stop, stop stop."

When the train stopped, Mannino climbed down onto the tracks to help the woman onto the platform, he said. She left without waiting for medical help.

“...these individuals acted heroically to save lives and each of them deserves our commendation,” said Andy Byford, President of New York City Transit. "I am proud to work alongside such distinguished colleagues and couldn’t think of a more deserving trio to be recognized for their heroic action."

Mannino and Moreno were among seven Brooklynites honored for their service to the borough.

Honorees included Bay Ridge Cares president Karen Tadross, Williamsburg resident Daphne Youree, MTA worker Eric Boyo, community activist Joe Gonzalez, and FDNY Captain Frank Stonitsch, who rescued a person from drowning off of Pier 6.

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