‘I feel did my job’. Typical understated response from those that are real heroes.
3
Metro public transit workers, from subways and trains and buses, are so often heroes.
Another ex.: Two local bus drivers in our area have saved children in the past several months.
Clearly, all these are examples very caring and diligent people who go above and beyond in the course of their daily and demanding jobs, people who are smart and empathetic and willing to go the extra mile.
And yet, still, are so often overlooked, or looked down upon and often not paid enough.
To these 'everyday heroes and heroines' -- bless you all. And thank you.
17
Tragedies take place every day. Miracles do too. Hopeton Kiffin performed a miracle. He stopped a tragedy in its tracks. May we be blessed to do good works like he did.
11
From how the story unfolded, a person on the platform saw the child enter the tunnel at Hoyt Street. This person went to a customer call box and alerted the station agent that there was a child on the tracks. Said station agent contacted the rail control center, which broadcast that there was a child on the tracks but didnt cut power. They slowed the trains down but didnt stop them. Now, kudos to the train operator for stopping the train and rescuing this child but NYC Transit continuously has conductors reading a canned message about if you see something, say something. This entire event was brought to a safe ending because a regular train ride saw something and said something...quickly. What are the results? The transit union chief posting a Twitter message praising the train operator who without any prompting discovered this child. Byford and everyone else praise the train operator but make a footnote of the person who acted first. If you want the public to remain engaged, dont discount when the drive the engine of courage and Rescue situations in the subway. That public member was the true first responder.
14
Thank you to the woman who called for help, as well as to the train operator. Happy to read a positive story.
29
There are no words to express my admiration for Mr. Kiffin. As the sister of someone with special needs, I can only pray that if my brother ever gets in trouble, a kind, good person like Mr. Kiffin will be there to reach out his hand and lead my brother to safety.
There are no words. God bless Mr. Kiffin.
23
Thank you, Mr. Kiffin! Well done, sir, very well done.
16
I'm crying. I needed this.
17
I cannot stress how strongly I believe that this story is more representative of city workers (often union, folks like MTA, DSNY, FDNY, NYPD, etc.) than much of what is published in this paper.
22
The best news of the day! A fine man and loving father saves a child as part of "doing his job". Mr Kiffin is an example for all of us of what makes a country great. Thank you, sir!
27
The nation thanks Mr. Kiffin, an exxtraordinary human being!
19
God bless him!!!
The MTA has a reputation of treating employees harshly when they are not on time and so sometimes workers look the other way instead of stopping.
Nicely done Hopeton Kiffin.
Now if management could act with such compassion.
18
No sir, you didn't just do your job. You did a hero's job.
With so much turmoil around us and few people for our children to look up to and emulate, Hopeton Kiffin has shown that we still have heroes.
56
A great story. What if the NYT designated a day of zero partisan politics, zero Trump, and ran these stories instead, boosting them to the top of the front page where they belong? Even if just for a day, to give us all a break and remind each other of our humanity.
32
“I feel I did my job,” Mr. Kiffin said.
Pardon me, Mr. Kiffin, for appearing to be disagreeable. I believe you did quite a bit more than simply your job. Thank you for being just where you needed to be at the exact moment you were needed there most of all.
22
This is what a real hero looks like!
15
This train operator is lucky nothing went wrong. If it had the MTA would have destroyed his life! The MTA will overlook his rule violations because it all worked out and there’s good publicity. There is publicity because the TWU local 100 is in contract negotiations. I once saw a train operator helping someone with dementia onto a train from the catwalk, no publicity.
5
Bless Mr. Kiffin's heart! In a sea of horrible news, it is refreshing to read a story about a competent, sensitive, loving man who (potentially) endangered his own life to save a child's life.
16
A hero. A real hero with a heart.
22
These acts of heroism, wisdom and compassion remind us all of who we are and can become.
It would be good to learn more about this young boy and how the rest of us might help him--not to invade his privacy or his family's, but to be sure that he and they are getting the services they may need.
14
What a wonderful story. One person took action and changed what could have been a tragedy. Kudos to Mr.Kiffin and a reminder to all that one person, one act can change everything.
16
Thank you, for a wonderful, heart-warming story that reminds us of the kindness of strangers, at a time when fear of the 'Other' is promulgated by our president - not only Mr Kiffin, but customers and station agents. There was no 'bystander' effect here.
A personal aside - NYC is often derided by out-of-towners as cold and uncaring. In reality, a member of my family was saved as a child by a neighbor (unknown behind closed doors) who overheard his screams and called the police.
21
First to be alert enough to stop the train, then to understad how to approach this boy with special needs. This driver is worthy of our praises!
43
So nice to see a simple act of human kindness documented and noted.
26
What does it say about us as a society/people that this story was buried in the print version on page A23 instead of the front page?
18
Thanks for this feel-good story. Mr. Kiffin is the example of what helping someone vulnerable, especially a child, says about character.
19
It isn't known yet if the child has any sort of disability. Regardless, it should not be overlooked that Mr. Kiffin, who apparently has no police training, was able to quickly recognize the child needed a different approach and then implement a plan of action without any threats/harshness in his voice or behavior. I hope certain law enforcement take note and learn to model this behavior. Mr. Kiffin has more to teach. Thank you, Mr. Kiffin.
53
Thank you for juxtaposing this beautiful and heartfelt story with the reporting of the couple building an indoor pool in their 100 million dollar mansion.
I bow my head to you, Mr. Kifflin, sir. Thank you for this.
41
I am a steadfast fan of all public servants, who often have a strong sense of mission. It’s not just a paycheck.
Mr. Kiffin, thank you for caring so much about the work you do that you believe your quick, calm, extraordinary actions to save a child in danger are just doing your job.
38
Will he be formally rewarded?
13
Thank you Mr. Kiffin! Thank you NY Times. Maybe humanity is not lost after all. Great story.
17
So this is what today's "modern angel" looks like . . . in a rail operator's uniform.
Job well done Mr. Kiffin.
30
15 minutes and the police were waiting at the NEXT station?
No police or medical at the scene, at the station where the incident was?
The power was left on and never turned off?
Train Operators were told to be on the look out, but were not told to stop and not proceed into the area where there was a child on the tracks?
This is not a feel good story or even a story about an employee who went above and beyond.
It is a story of luck. All the way around.
Lucky the child didn't run when being approached and gotten injured or killed.
Lucky the child was alone and there were not other children hiding that could have gotten injured or killed when the train left (there was no area search).
Lucky the child (who it seems may have an emotional disorder) did not panic and interfere with the operator-who had to have divided attention operating with the child in his presence-in the very small one-person Train Operators cab. Lucky the train ran normally: Had the train had any kind of unusual operation, an emergency stop for instance, and any of the up to 2,000 passengers aboard the train had gotten injured due to the improper procedures, the Train Operator, the TA would have run out of luck.
Byford has to make this seem an all well that ends well tale publicly, but the Train Operator, his Conductor, and all the supervisors involved will have-and should have-their conduct scrutinized.
If that child would have run away from the Train Operator, and into the path of another passing train....
6
@WorkingGuy: Are you sure you don’t want them all arrested for child abuse, too?
12
@WorkingGuy: While these are valid points you raise, I can also see there may not have been access for any of our normal first responders or such a massive response as you might expect. Also the alert could have been a hoax.
We take our luck where we can get it and are thankful when it works out.
14
@WorkingGuy EXACTLY! If that kid got hurt they would immediately fire him! He’d be sued and maybe prosecuted. No joke.
3
The very best of humanity.God Bless Him!!!!
20
After reading about how our mayor is selling his constituents out to the real estate interests, how refreshing to read about what regular people do to make life better for others. Perhaps Mr. Kiffin would like to run for mayor! We could use a decent person with good instincts in the job.
10
@historyprof…."We could use a decent person with good instincts for the job" requirements that could include our next president.
9
Thank you for reporting on this act of compassion and wisdom. It is a reminder, no matter how negative our country has become at the moment, good people do remarkable and inspirational things for each other every day. Thank you, Mr. Kiffin.
18
Lovely, lovely man. This is the side of humanity I believe in, a light in the darkness of so much of the news we hear.
Thank you Mr. Kiffin.
32
We need more people like Mr. Kiffin in this world. What a wonderful man in this day and age. God bless you kind sir!
20
A feel good story except:
Assuming there were 500 people on the train,
How many were late and missed out on job interviews.
How many didn't make it in time for weddings, funerals and all the other events in life.
How many missed their connections.
How many got written up for being late to work.
How much in wages was lost by losing an hour of work.
The real story that the Times Reporter decides to skip is who was responsible for the kid being where he was.
Need that person's photo on the front page.
3
@True Observer
With all due respect, are you kidding me?
Saving the life of a child (or anyone for that matter) is LESS important than:
"How many were late and missed out on job interviews.
How many didn't make it in time for weddings, funerals and all the other events in life.
How many missed their connections.
How many got written up for being late to work.
How much in wages was lost by losing an hour of work."
47
@True Observer
The "real" story was told.
The story is about reaching out and helping each other. The story is about one man and one child. The story is about how we live together in a functional society. The story is about the contract we have with one another.
I think what you are suggesting is meant to shame the child or the parents.
The story is " there but for the grace" of one man we might all be reading about the tragic death of a child.
45
From the brief description of the child’s manner of clapping his hands as he stood and being verbally non responsive, I’d venture to guess that the child is autistic. We all have children who suddenly do something uncharacteristic. Sometimes it’s good. Sometimes it’s not. And the child and their parents learn something in those moments. We can be grateful that in this case, the child and their caregivers will be given a second chance. It’s a shame that people were inconvenienced in this case, but I think the vast majority would consider the trade off a fair one.
14
Thank you, NYT.
Thank you, Mr. Kiffin. You made my heart sing today.
19
Mr. Kiffin, thank you for being a hero for this boy and the community. This story just lit up my day!
20
What a wonderful human being. I feel fortunate to live in a world where there are such people. We are all better off that there are.
18
I just got chills reading this story. Mr. Kiffin, you have a wonderful first name for a hero, Hopeton! Thank you for what you did.
136
I cannot even begin to imagine how proud Mr. Kiffin's children are of him and the terror/relief of the parents of the child he saved.
As many others have written, I cried when I read this story of this "ordinary" father working his job doing something extraordinarily brave and kind.
Thank you.
34
Seems pretty obvious the boy has autism. Wouldn’t say he was “willing to test fate.”
7
God bless you Sir!
11
His children are fortunate to have him as their father.
He is needed in higher places where shoot first is the norm.
13
These are the types of men our society should be honoring, not greedy billionaires and narcissistic tech bro's. Mr Kiffin is a REAL hero and an example of a Man in the best sense of the word.
28
Sometimes, when you've had a tough week....you read a story like this at your desk at the start of a Friday morning and you think, "yeah, everything is going to be ok."
24
Thank you, Mr. Kiffin, for restoring my faith in humanity through your selfless, caring actions.
14
Dear Mr. Kiffin,
Thank you.
12
one reason why the trains don't drive themselves
9
Remember ?"...there are 8 million stories in the Naked City".
Glad this one had a happy ending. Thank you Mr. Kiffen!
5
“I feel I did my job.” Yes, Mr. Kiffin - not just as a train operator, but as a human being.
62
What a hero!
9
About the time I think all hope is lost with this country...
43
We need more heroes like this man and those that alerted the subway operators about this boy on the tracks!
11
Now this is what a real hero is like!
11
Thank you Hopeton Kiffen, for your concern, care and quick response. We need more like you.
11
Where is the follow up story on the boy? We need to know that he is not suffering an abusive life.
1
Thank you Mr Kiffin!
Thank you NYT for carrying this story!
12
Thank you, NYT, for important news that's also good news.
14
Wonderful man, great story. Thanks to both!
3
Bless Mr Kiffin! The world needs more people like him
3
Just when I felt things were at an all time low, across the board, along comes this ordinary man, Hopeton Kiffin, doing a heroic act by saving the life of an innocent child.
Mr. Kiffin, you have no idea how many smiles your act of kindness brought nor and how many lives you may have saved because of the hope you generated by your decision to help and save this boy.
Thank you from the bottom of my grateful heart.
33
Mr. Kiffin, you were the right person in the right place at precisely the right time. Your instincts and compassion make you a hero in my book.
29
Mr. Kiflin, you are my hero.
22
IMHO, this beautiful story gives testament to the power of:
(1) Deliberative compassion. (e.g. "Hopeton Kiffin," upon spotting "a flash of red on the tracks ahead of him in an area his express train would normally rush through," weighed human harm against his timetable and "slowed the train down" instead of simply diverting it.)
(2) The willingness to -- literally and figuratively -- stop and meet others where they are. (e.g. When Kifflin, having "secured the train” and having “jumped out and approached the boy," found that the child "did not speak or respond physically or verbally to words," he "stopped talking and offered his hand.")
(3) The magical alchemy that can spark when the professional expertise that our society rightly and necessarily values meets the life experience that we too often devalue. (e.g. “I’ve seen strange things, adults walking on the tracks … but this one, with the child standing there, I was taken aback,” Mr. Kiffin said in an interview. ... “I have an 8-year-old daughter and sometimes words — they don’t listen — so I just gently held him by the hand.”)
Hooray -- for Mr. Kiffin; for the New York transit authorities who made him a train operator 13 years ago; for the TWU Local 100 that provides the environment in which Mr. Kiffin and other members serve and thrive; and for Corina Knoll for bringing this invaluable story to NYT readers.
32
Mr. Kiffin, yet another point of light in the darkness.
64
What a beautiful story. Thank you, Mr. Kiffin. Your fellow New Yorkers are fortunate to have you as a neighbor and a heroic and compassionate subway operator.
18
A wonderful upper, shining a hopeful light into the darkness of the foul era of Trump and his apologists. It gets us through another day in our efforts to recover America's decency and moral competence. Until January 21, 2021...
16
@Odysseus
Thanks, we all need these 'uppers' to bond with others and not feel isolated....... Jan 21, 2021
5
Thank you to Mr. Kiffin. Humanity and kindness are in short supply these days and the simple human connection of an alert professional and a hand held out saved this boy's life.
I hope the boy is OK.
29
I'm not sure we need any more information about the boy Mr. Kiffin rescued. It feels to me like that would be an invasion of privacy for the boy and his family. No parent wants or needs to be judged by their worst day.
The important part is the boy is safe as a result of selflessness and the grace of an amazing man.
I would however, feel quite different if I learned the child was in the custody of the city or its schools.
13
Mr Kiffin is a wonderful man, thank you for a light in the darkness Sir!
20
Dear NYT,
Thank you for the wonderful story - but please write a follow up. We need to know what happened to the boy involved. And congratulations and heartfelt thanks to Mr. Hopeton Kiffin.
12
This is a Great story! We need more stories of good people who make the world better in small ways and in big ways by doing the right thing.
42
Why would New York not install a automatic partition that separates the tracks from the waiting area? Looking at the subway system in Korea and Japan, I cannot help but wonder that such problems can effectively be avoided by such an imposition.
9
What is so striking is the human understanding prominent in this incident. Not only did Mr. Kiffin do the right thing but he did an extraordinary thing - he waited and handled that boy beautifully and then put him in the cab! How gentle in a brutal world.
Thank you for putting this story in the digital edition. It is one I won't forget.
70
@annpatricia23
Indeed. I'm sure putting him in the cab breaks all kind of rules, but its what was needed.
2
This man and this story have touched my heart deeply. Kindness, compassion, love, strength, in heroic human action. Moving and inspiring.
34
Thank you for giving prominence in the digital issue to this story. It's so wonderful to learn of humans actually showing humanity for a change.
35
Who, if not this man, is a hero of the city? One of the countless unsung heroes who usually go unmentioned. Give him a raise and a promotion!
46
“I feel I did my job,” Mr. Kiffin said. That's what makes us human, from the time of our tribal existence until now: we all do our job and society survives; and when we all do our job well, our society well survives. Bravo, Mr. Kiffin !
29
Mr. Kiffin must be a wonderful Dad- "let me guide him and let him feel secure."
Thank you for the positives!
53
Great story. Thanks for a positive note for starting my morning and what a wonderful person Mr. Kiffin is!
33
Everyday heroes are a cause to celebrate, every day. They elevate, inspire, and warm us to strengthen faith. With that, there is work for the heroes in all of us. We only need to stay open, able and ready. Do you?
41
“I feel I did my job,” Mr. Kiffin said.
My sense is Mr. Kiffin would have done the exact same thing if he were a civilian rather than a 13-year train operator.
Kind, generous and unselfish people rise to the occasion when one presents itself. Mr. Kiffin just happened to be a hero in uniform, who placed his own life and safety ahead of this young child.
82
Oh, Mr. Kiffin, I applaud your professionalism for saving that child. This could have been so much worse, but thanks to you, a tragedy had been averted. Also kudos to the unnamed station agent for acting quickly to notify nearby motormen of the child.
I wonder how the child is, as the description of his behavior when Mr. Kiffin took his hand to lead him to safety seemed to indicate that he was somehow troubled.
37
Hero n. A person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. (The Concise Oxford Dictionary)
That about sums it up. Mr. Kiffin, thank you. You are an inspiration to us all.
56
@Kaellyn. Autism perhaps? Sometimes autistic kids are fascinated by trains.
Thank goodness for Mr. Kiffin. And let's remember this the next time there are discussions about fully automating trains and taking people out of the driver's cab.
53
@Sad exactly.
2
Thank you. We could always use more heroes like Mr. Kiffin.
37
Mr. Kiffin is a TRUE HERO by saving this little boy’s life.
Mr. Kiffin’s behavior is also a living testament to the fact that “Ordinary People do Extraordinary things and random acts of kindness bind us all together as human beings”.
Thank you Mr. Kiffin.
54
I cried when I read this last night. A mixture of relief and awe at the humanity.
Let me guide him and let him feel secure.
I hope they imprint on our city, our country, our world.
114
@JSNYC
This heroic man could teach the president of the United States a thing or two!
8
Where's the rest of the story? Where did this boy come from? Where were his parents? How does such a thing happen in a supposedly "civilized" society?
7
@PW people aren't robots, and "society" isn't any culprit here. i'd also like to know how he got off by himself, but i, at least, am not going to assume the privilege of interrogating anyone.
unless you're asking how a boy could be saved by an observant and kindly guy, which would speak well of our society.
17
@PW I'm not sure if you have any children, but it's very common for them to run off, or go places they're not supposed to go.
4
@petey - "robots?" Where does that comment come from? I'm calling for context, not just sentimentality, or, as some prefer, "human interest."
A moving story. Mr Kifflin saved that child's life by his thoughtful approach. I hope he is awarded for his courage. Not only did that child need him, we all need him as an example of putting first what really matters.
49
“Let me guide him and let him feel secure.” Words for us all. Bravo!
85
Apologies for getting all religious here, but I find it a miracle that this young boy did not make contact with that third rail, which would have electrocuted him, and that rail operator Hopeton Kiffin had the sense of calm and instinct to hold out his hand for this terrified lad to take hold of, which ultimately saved his life.
Finally - a wonderful and uplifting story that brings hope, happiness and inspiration to all.
And yet another reason why I subscribe to the NYT!
33
Thank you, Mr. Kiffin, on behalf of all New Yorkers and all parents everywhere. We might otherwise have read a very different and terrible story this morning. Thank you for being you.
38
His actions and his own description of how he helped suggest Mr. Hopeton Kiffin is a special person.
38
Than you for your heroic act Mr. Kiffin
33
The word humane was coined for this.
26
While a relatively small number of politicians, overly covered by the media of all stripes, may give the impression that we are a sadly dysfunctional country, they are vastly outnumbered by wonderful people, the people who keep our country afloat and much healthier than we tend to believe.
64
Mr. Kiffin represents all that is right in our City and the world. It’s no surprise that he has hope in his name. Kudos to our newest Urban Hero!
37
What a simple yet beautiful report.
There are SO FEW SUCH STORIES. Yet there must be so many.
Bad news makes strong newsprint.
You have proved, and regularly do prove, the opposite.
Continue, NYT
This does not only make AMERICA such stories make us all humble and the ACTORS Great!
18
Good Job Mr Kiffin, great compassion and thinking
28
Mister Kiffin saved both the boy and a small piece of each of us. I hope the boy is well and Mister Kiffin, may you live long and prosper.
79
Care and compassion seems in short supply. We should all look out for each other. Thanks to Mr. Kifflin for going out of his way to help!
28
Every day in this country, acts of kindness take place- not for the glory or the attention they may receive, but because it's the RIGHT THING TO DO.
Kudos to Mr. Kiffin- and the unsung heros all around us.
THIS is what Makes America Great ALWAYS.
40
These moments of humanity, a person looking, seeing something wrong, pushing the call button, the watchers who pointed out the boy and the incredible kindness, professionalism and wisdom of Mr. Kiffin to understand and give what a boy needed. These acts of caring make a difference. Glad I read this; good start to my day.
53
"So the father of three stopped talking and offered his hand."
“I have an 8-year-old daughter and sometimes words — they don’t listen — so I just gently held him by the hand,” he said. “I thought, ‘Let me guide him, and let him feel secure.’”
Another unsung hero walks the streets of New York.
Such coolness, calmness, and common sense! You are not only an awesome human being Mr. Kiffin, but a role model and inspiration for so many. Thank you for saving this boy's life.
Fantastic job. Fantastic story.
177
Every job is important. In this story everyone who responded helped rescue a boy in trouble. Had any one of those involved failed to simply do the correct and appropriate thing the outcome could have been different. I hope everyone involved is proud of their job performance and of the appropriate human response and heroism.
87
Thank you, Mr. Kiffin, for all you've done for that boy (and his family), for your passengers, for those on the platform, and for the city. Thank you.
33
What a hero! We need more people like Mr. Kiffin and more stories about the good ones like him.
28
More than a quick reaction, Mr. Kiffin's approach to gently lead the boy and make him feel "secure" is commendable. Thank you for reaching out with your heart, Mr. Kiffin.
44
This incredible save by Mr. Kiffin started with someone pushing the help button. A small act can have big consequences -- why, it may even save a life. Be inspired! Be the difference!
63
As a species there is hope! Thank you Mr. Kifflin and the wonderful people of NYC.
24
It's a term that gets thrown around a lot these days, but Mr. Kiffin is truly a HERO!
Thank you, sir. Making us all NYC proud!
51
You are a hero, Mr. Kiffin! We are all grateful and uplifted by your actions in saving this young boy's life.
25
God Bless Mr.Kiffin and the commuter who pushed the help button.
97
"I feel I did my job" Bravo! Bravo! Standing ovation. Thank you, Mr. Kiffin. Thank you.
102
@dove
I agree 1000%
Did you ever notice that the mantra of real heroes is always the same, “I feel I did my job,” or "I was just doing my job". They never grandstand nor brag and are always humble as well as generous in spirit.
28
@Marge Keller Yes, it's the fake "heroes" who grandstand and brag.
6
Bless you Mr. Kiffin. Your actions make you a hero. You were able to save a life. You truly rose to the occasion. Thank you.
119
Sometimes, it is easy to think that our country is on a moral decline fueled by the current state of politics. Then a heartwarming story like this renews my faith in mankind. Thank you, Mr. Kiffin, for your kindness. You must be a wonderful father in recognizing that something was different about this child and knowing what to do.
204
It is these individual acts of kindness that inspire us and that nurture our fragile but essential sense of community.
130