Daring Rescue Rewarded: 'We Need More Anthonys in the World'

Chicago man Anthony Perry, 20, pulled a man off electrified rail at subway station
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 10, 2022 8:08 AM CDT
Daring Rescue Rewarded: 'We Need More Anthonys in the World'
Anthony Perry, 20, sits in a car presented to him by Early Walker, founder of the organization I'm Telling, Don't Shoot, on Wednesday in Chicago.   (Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

A Chicago man who jumped onto train tracks to rescue someone who'd fallen onto an electrified rail at an L station earned more than praise for his heroic act: He's also been given a car. Anthony Perry, 20, was surprised this week with a 2009 Audi A8 from Early Walker, founder of the anti-violence organization I'm Telling, Don't Shoot. "We wanted to literally show our appreciation because we need more people like you," Walker said, per the AP. "We need more Anthonys in the world." Perry said the car will make his life "way easier," as he's been taking two buses and a train to get from his home in the South Side neighborhood of Park Manor to his job with Amazon Fresh in suburban Oak Lawn.

On Monday, he got off at a stop on the Chicago Transit Authority's Red Line when he noticed a nearly unconscious man on the electrified third rail of the tracks. He jumped down onto the tracks and pulled the man to safety. "I was hoping I could just grab him and not feel nothing, but I felt a little shock," Perry said. "I felt it all though my body, actually. I didn't let that stop me." With the help of another commuter, Perry administered CPR on the man, who'd been hurt by an electric shock. The man was taken to a hospital and was expected to survive.

Police are still investigating the incident that led to the man falling onto the tracks, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Meanwhile, Perry's car was delivered to him blocks from his home as residents and police officers looked on in support. "So many times people think these young men are out here doing the wrong thing, but this is just a prime example of how a young man took it upon himself to jump in and do the right thing," said Chicago Police Lt. Yolanda Irving.

(More uplifting news stories.)

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