In case you need some renewed faith in people . . .

As a New Yorker (and someone who generally isn't impressed easily) I was especially moved by this story last week. I think we all probably hope we'd do this, but to actually make that decision . . . in front of your two young daughters, no less . . . I mean, that's impressive.

Nearby, a man collapsed, his body convulsing. Mr. Autrey and two women rushed to help, he said. The man, Cameron Hollopeter, 20, managed to get up, but then stumbled to the platform edge and fell to the tracks, between the two rails.

The headlights of the No. 1 train appeared. “I had to make a split decision,” Mr. Autrey said.

So he made one, and leapt.

And he managed to save the guy, pressing him down so they both fit in the 12 inch space between the ground and the train, which, powerless to stop in time, screeched to a stop on top of them, to the horror -- and then amazement -- of onlookers.