By Preeteesh Peetabh Singh
Dialog Reporter
Dwight Orchard, September 2012. Photo: Facebook
Dwight Orchard, 23, a plumbing student at George Brown College (GBC) is in the spotlight these days. His heroic act at the St. Clair West subway station earlier this month grabbed a lot of praise and media attention.
It was around noon on Jan. 8 when an unidentified man tumbled down onto the tracks at St. Clair West subway station. According to reports, he seemed to be intoxicated. With the train approaching the station, the man’s fate rested on the almighty.
At the same time, Orchard was on his way to the hospital to get tested for pneumonia. As he stepped down the stairs and walked towards the platform he saw the man fall off on the tracks. Within no time, Orchard dropped his bag and ran towards the victim.
Onlookers on the platform watched in panic as the thunder of the approaching train filled the station. They shrieked in fear and helplessness as they leaned over the platform, shouting and beckoning the driver to stop.
Orchard was already down on the tracks trying to pick the man up.
In an interview to the City News, Orchard said, “I was seeing the train coming right at us and I was like ‘Oh my god! This is not happening.’ ”
Meanwhile, TTC workers reacted by cutting off the power at the station hoping the train would stop in time.
Three cars had already entered the station with Orchard was struggling to pick the man up. Within seconds he picked the victim up like a baby and cradled him to safety onto the platform before pulling himself off the track.
The train stopped after the young man had made the rescue.
“When I got out, I was shaking. It was happening so fast. The only thing I was thinking was to get him out of there. It’s a great feeling to save a life and I would do it again if required”, said Orchard in the interview with City News.
Orchard’s heroics at the station attracted a lot of attention, but instead of basking in the glory he boarded the next train and left for his destination.
He is hoping to complete his plumbing course from GBC and become a licensed plumber in the future.
