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MTA workers save man from bridge plunge

By Marlene Naanes, amNewYork Staff Writer
More stories | MNaanes@am-ny.com

January 18, 2008

A handshake and six transit workers kept a suicidal man from plunging to his death from the Williamsburg Bridge Thursday.

"He said he wanted to die because his wife just died and he wanted to join her," said Aikido Sticatto, a rookie train operator who came upon the man behaving erratically.

Three track workers and a three-man J train crew confronted the 48-year-old Ridgewood man after he crawled down to a catwalk next to the bridge's railing at 12:40 p.m. The man, who told the workers that his name was Tony, appeared high and was still wearing a bracelet from a Brooklyn hospital where he tried to seek help, the workers said.

"He said this was his last resort," said Sticatto.

The man at first approached the track workers, but realized he was surrounded and climbed over the bridge's railing. The transit workers offered cigarettes and water to build the man's trust. Every time the man bowed his head to cry, Track Inspector Thomas Bodai took a couple steps forward.

"I told him I wouldn't leave him," he said.

When the man held out his hand to thank the workers, Bodai grabbed his waist, and the other transit employees helped pulled him over. Police took him to Bellevue Hospital and would not release his name.

MTA officials said the transit workers will be awarded a medal of heroism.

"By showing compassion, patience and bravery, they saved the life of a fellow New Yorker," said MTA CEO Elliot Sander.

J and M train service was disrupted during the 45-minute ordeal as Train Operator Gordon Jackman, Conductor Marc Kinard and Sticatto assisted. Track workers Sal Messina and Bruce Cierniewski also joined in.

Sticatto, who began working with the MTA two months ago, had saved another man's life on the same bridge before, he said.

"I feel like I'm going to stay off the Williamsburg Bridge," he said during a press conference.