A 61-year-old Brooklyn man is healing after a subway accident in Manhattan nearly took his life. The man, Cecil Williams, is legally blind and relies on his working dog, Orlando, to help him safely navigate New York City. Orlando had to go above and beyond the call of duty, however, when the man fainted and lost consciousness on the 125th Street platform.
The dog tried to keep his companion from falling off the edge, but they both toppled onto the tracks. Cecil and Orlando were hit by the subway train as the motorman tried frantically to slow it down, but their injuries weren’t fatal and both are expected to make full recoveries.
“The dog saved my life,” said Williams. “I’m feeling amazed. I feel that God, the powers that be, have something in store for me.”
The Manhattan subway platform accident shows how just one minor mistake near the tracks can be fatal. While not all NYC subway accidents are preventable, some result from negligent maintenance of safety precautions.
If you or a loved one has been seriously harmed in a New York subway accident, an experienced injury attorney can help you determine what legal rights you have to pursue money damages. Don’t delay, as New York City has strict time limits on filing a notice of claim and lawsuit.
Source: Today.com, “Blind Man May Have To Give Up Dog That Saved Him In Subway Accident,” Colleen Long, Dec. 17, 2013
