Staten Island Bus Operator Saves Teen

Castleton Depot Bus Operator Cono Turchio refuses to refer to himself as a hero. A grateful Staten Island family, however, begs to differ with his low-key assessment after the nine-year NYC Transit veteran leapt to the aid of 12 year-old Tyrone Banks, the victim of a particularly cruel and dangerous prank.


	MTA Chairman Peter S. Kalikow, left, presents a plaque to hero Cono Turchio with his wife Laura and daughter Conchetta at his side. At right stands NYC Transit President Lawrence G. Reuter.

On the afternoon of Monday, January 5, Turchio was driving the S42 packed with students from Intermediate School 61 in the New Brighton section. He had stopped at New Jersey Avenue when he witnessed a scene from a nightmare.

"The first I knew of this incident, was seeing the youngster through my mirror coming toward the front of the bus and his clothes were on fire," explained Turchio. The veteran bus operator quickly secured his bus, bolted from his seat and grabbed the frightened teen. Turchio saw that someone had placed a firework in the teen's clothing.

"I pulled back his jacket collar, pulled the firecracker out and extinguished it, but his clothes were still smoldering. He was attempting to take off his jacket but the zipper was stuck," Turchio added. "I couldn't get it unstuck either, so I just ripped it."

The firecracker was actually a "jumping jack" a type of firework that doesn't explode, but continues to burn once lit. It had lodged at such an angle that it burned into the youngster's neck. "He never yelled or cried or anything," added Turchio. "Really, I thought he was going into shock."

Turchio's actions did not go unnoticed by MTA Chairman Peter S. Kalikow and NYC Transit President Lawrence G. Reuter who teamed to present the hero bus operator with a plaque of accommodation for his heroics and a $500 U.S. Savings Bond. Accompanied by his wife Laura, and two year-old daughter Conchetta, Turchio accepted his honors at the January 29 meeting of the MTA Board, where his actions were noted and lauded by Chairman Kalikow.

"One of my greatest pleasures in this job is having the opportunity to honor one of our employees who has distinguished himself in service to our customers," said Chairman Kalikow, who noted that the saving bond would make a great start to Conchetta's college fund.

Turchio, who suffered slight burns to both hands during the incident, had to tell the story several times in the days immediately after his heroics as nearly every television station in the city sent cameras and reporters to Castleton Depot. He also absorbed some good-natured ribbing and hearty congratulations from his co-workers.

"There's been a lot of fuss about this but I still don't think that I did anything differently than any of my fellow bus operators would have done," Turchio added. "I'm just glad that I was able to be there for him."

About a week after the incident, Turchio visited Banks at Staten Island University Hospital where the youngster was being treated for his injuries. The student's father, Walter took the opportunity to thank Turchio and express a heartfelt gratitude. "Me, my wife, and my son greatly appreciate that you were there," noted the grateful father.

So do we, Cono.