BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
EDISON — It was handshakes and a round of applause for three men who jumped six feet onto the Edison Train Station platform to save a woman who fainted and fell on the tracks last month.
Mayor Thomas Lankey presented proclamations to Anil Vennavalli, Piscataway, Inamul Hassan, Edison, and Prasad Joshi, Highland Park, for their heroic efforts at a Township Council meeting on May 10.
Vennavalli and Hassan were present at the meeting. At the time of the meeting, township officials did not have Joshi’s information.
The mayor plans to give Joshi a proclamation at the next council meeting this week.
Lankey said it is not every day that one hears about such unselfish acts.
“There was actually an oncoming train on site so they did risk harm to themselves and without thinking reached in and did a good Samaritan thing,” he said.
Madhuri Recherla, 26, of Edison, had fainted and toppled off an Edison Train Station platform onto the northbound tracks shortly after 7:40 a.m. on April 28, according to police.
Police said Recherla, who was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick had suffered a fractured knee and broken ankle during the fall.
Hassan and Vennavalli humbly accepted the proclamations.
“I’m a person not expecting anything,” said Hassan, who said he has called Edison home for four years. “I’m not a hero in front of everyone … we have a police department and everyday they are risking their lives.”
Hassan turned to Police Chief Thomas Bryan and said “You are all the heroes and do such a great job in the Edison community protecting us and providing the needs of the community.”
Vennavalli thanked Hassan and Joshi for helping him rescue his friend Recherla.
“She is recovering from the injuries she’s gone through,” he said. “Thank God everyone’s safe.”
Vennavalli said he just acted for a fellow person in need.
“I would do the same if I have the opportunity next time,” he said.
The incident garnered media attention when police reported that Vennavalli’s backpack was stolen during the ordeal.
On May 1, the Edison Police Benevolent No. 75 presented Vennavalli with a check for $1,000 to thank him for his selfless act as well as a way to make up for the loss of belongings which were stolen.
He had dropped his backpack containing his laptop computer before coming to the aid of the woman. An unknown thief stole his backpack.
Councilwoman Sapana Shah said the three men represent the best of Edison Township.
“I not only applaud you for saving this woman’s life, but risking your own lives,” she said. “Thank you for teaching us that we can truly cherish our different heritages and try to empathize with each other’s suffering while recognizing our common bond as people and neighbors in Edison Township. I’m proud to call you my neighbors.”
All council members echoed similar sentiments.
Councilmen Robert Diehl and Alvaro Gomez said the three men are indeed heroes for their actions.
“It is something many of us could go in a panic and [may lead] to the possibility of a loss of life,” Gomez said. “You did the unthinkable with a lot at stake and with families that depend on you.”