“I’m not a hero — anybody would have done it. I did it out of normal instincts.”
That was the statement from 52-year-old MTA bus driver Steve St. Bernard after he made a probable life-saving catch when a 7-year-old autistic girl named Keyla fell from her 3rd-story window.
This incredible footage comes from the Coney Island Houses. The girl had crawled through the side of a newly installed air conditioner unit and was balancing on top when St. Bernard swept in to save the day.
The young girl apparently created the opening by pulling aside the accordian-like plastic that is made to create a fit for the unit to the window. After she made her way out she climbed atop and clowned around, even dancing, as a group of children looked from below.
After the terrifying fall, Keyla was incredibly uninjured while St. Bernard suffered a torn-tendon in his left bicep. He added, “I went over there to make sure if she fell I could catch her.” He told reporters he had a daughter that was nearly the same age.
Air conditioners are required to have permanent, structurally sound barriers that leave no opening greater than 41/2 inches in homes with children under 10-years-old in New York City. The family wasn’t required to have a window guard installed if there was an air-conditioning unit in the window, a NYCHA spokesperson said.
The child’s mother was interviewed and she explained that she was watching another child and was unaware that her daughter, whom she had laid down under the new AC she purchased for a nap, was in the perilous position she was in until a neighbor let her know.
“I heard somebody banging on the door, stating that my daughter was outside on the air conditioner, but I had no idea what was going on because I had my son.”
She added, “They sold me a defective air conditioner.” No charges will be filed against Keyla’s mother.
As for Mr. St. Bernard, I hear you when you say you’re not a hero and that anybody would have done the same. I have to respectfully disagree. You, sir, ARE a hero and not everyone would have had the same reaction or instincts to do the brave thing you did.
