Shocking video captured the moment a Chicago passenger jumped to save an unconscious man who was seen jerking after falling on an electrified third rail during a fight.
Anthony Perry, 20, was getting off a Chicago Transit Authority Red Line train on Sunday afternoon when he saw two men getting into a fight, a local CBS affiliate reported.
“I immediately saw that there was a fight as both men lifted their dukes up – they were putting their stuff down,” Perry told the outlet.
According to the police, one of the fighters was waiting for the train when the other spat on his face and punched him. Both men fell on the tracks, where they continued their slugfest.
But when the suspected instigator climbed onto the third rail, he suffered a 600-volt shock, went into convulsions and people whipped their cell phones to capture the mayhem, CBS2 reported.
“The man had no control over his body,” said Perry, who selflessly jumped down to save the man’s life.
“I heard someone say, ‘Don’t touch her’ as soon as I got on the track!” he said.
“I could keep walking, but I was like, you know what? I won’t keep walking because God doesn’t want me to do that so I acted immediately,” Perry told the station.
He said that as soon as he caught the man, he was shocked.
“It was strong—like it went through my whole body. I remember after that, my whole body was still trembling,” Perry said.
With the help of another commuter, Veer Achhe Samaritan began giving CPR to the man who eventually regained consciousness.
The dramatic scene was captured by Tavi Ghee, who described it as “definitely surreal”. It was an out-of-body experience,” reported ABC 7.
When asked by CBS what he thought about risking his life, Perry said, “I was kind of like, Jeopardy, I did that? That was me? I was shocked that I I’ll take myself to that level – but I’m not surprised, because I always help people. That’s my instinct.”
He said: “I was thinking, if I was in that situation, how would I want people to treat me? I’m just glad that man was alive, more than anything. To be honest, I I didn’t see myself as a hero.
But on Wednesday, he was rewarded for his act with a car—a 2008 Audi A6 given to him by Windy City businessman Early Walker, who had previously joked a bit.
The philanthropist handed Perry—whose own car had recently been broadcast—a gift card for gas.
Walker then rolled out the luxury sedan, which would allow Perry to commute 90 minutes to work. Along with them were the police and members of the community.
“We just wanted to honor you,” Walker told the young man, ABC 7 reported. “We really wanted to show our appreciation because we need more people like you. We need more Anthony in the world.
According to Fox32, “Anthony thought of the victim and not necessarily himself in this quick decision to save the victim’s life.”
“Then he gave meticulous instructions to perform CPR and save the life of a man who had fallen hopelessly onto a live track,” said Walker, who founded the organization “I’m Telling, Don’t Shoot.”
The second youth involved in the assault fled from the spot.
“Our detectives are working on the case, working to identify and get those pictures out there and see if anyone can really know who that person is,” said the police commander. Roderick Watson, ABC 7 reported.
Officials said Perry, who was rescued at the University of Chicago Medical Center, remains in critical condition.
