Subway Worker Burned Severely in Fire Accident

Michael Lee, 45, has worked on the subways of NYC long enough to be referred to as a “veteran,” according to the New York Post. It isn’t clear just how soon, or if, he’ll be returning to work, however, after a tragic accident on the job left him hospitalized with second and third-degree burns over his body.

Lee was working on his day off, getting some overtime, when the accident occurred. He reportedly dropped a 200-pound piece of equipment, known as a coupler, onto the third rail. When the coupler fell, bolts came off the rail, knocking Lee down and engulfing him in flamed.

Rolling around on the ground didn’t help and Lee ended up ripping off his clothing with his bare hands as he burned. Throughout the ordeal, Lee remained conscious.

After the accident, he was grateful, saying it could have been much worse and thanking a coworker who had assisted him on the scene. The coworker also had to be hospitalized for trauma following the accident.

“She saved my life. I wouldn’t be alive if she wasn’t helping me,” said Lee. “I was very grateful that she acted so fast.”

Everyone’s heard of the dangers of the third rail on the subway tracks, though subway accidents like this one are quite rare. More commonly, if someone is hurt on the train, it happens inside as they are riding as a passenger.

But, when you work for the subway, or any mass transit system, the chances of you getting injured by it are increased simply due to the amount of time you spend around the equipment and the nature of your work.

Mr. Lee is currently at Jacobi Medical Center with severe burns over 30% of his body. He may have to go through skin grafts in order to treat some of the worst burns. If you’ve ever been burned or know someone who has gone through a burn injury, you may have an idea of the level of pain that he is experiencing.

If you’ve been hurt in a serious accident involving mass transit, we may be able to help you. The transit companies have a responsibility to provide a safe atmosphere for their passengers and workers. When they fail to do this, accidents happen and they can be held responsible.