EMT Climbs NYC Subway Tower, Saves Life with Narcan

Simone Kelly didn't plan to become a hero at New York's first-ever Knicks championship parade. But when she saw an unconscious man atop a subway structure on June 18, 2026, the 24-year-old EMT knew exactly what to do.

Camera operator Peter Shrieve-Don first spotted the man slumped and unresponsive above the subway station as crowds filled lower Manhattan. When help didn't arrive immediately, he climbed up himself and called for medical assistance.

Kelly pushed through the parade crowd, identified herself as medical, and took over. She administered Narcan nasal spray and performed sternum rubs until the man regained consciousness.

Bystanders helped carry him down to waiting FDNY paramedics, who transported him for further care. The entire rescue was captured on video and shared across social media, where millions watched what Kelly later called simply "New Yorkers helping New Yorkers."

Kelly is a pre-med student at Drew University studying neuroscience, chemistry, and psychology. She hopes to become a physician specializing in emergency psychiatry and substance abuse treatment.

Why This Inspires

Kelly's rescue demonstrates something nurses and first responders already know: naloxone works, and every second counts. Her quick response gave someone a second chance at life during a moment when most people were focused on celebration.

But she didn't stop at the rescue. Since going viral, Kelly launched a GoFundMe to support OnPoint NYC, an organization providing harm reduction services to people struggling with addiction.

"People are dying trying to get help," she wrote on the donation page. "Harm reduction is a concept where services are provided to those using drugs to increase their longevity, hopefully long enough for them to get sober—whatever that looks like for them."

The moment is sparking conversations about who carries naloxone and how everyday people can help during opioid emergencies. For nurses serving as educators and patient advocates, it's a reminder that teaching these skills extends far beyond hospital walls.

Kelly's action shows what's possible when someone with training steps up and when communities embrace the tools that save lives.