Staff Sgt. Steve Skelton was awarded the Air and Space Commendation Medal for heroism after rescuing the lives of two elderly women who fell down an escalator at a local establishment in New York.

“I didn’t expect any of this…,” said Skelton, who is a KC-135 Structural Repair Craftsman from the 914th Air Refueling Wing Maintenance Squadron at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. “I go out after work and watch football and have dinner. It was just right place, right time.”

U.S. Air Force Col. Frances Dixon, Commander of the 914th Air Refueling Wing Maintenance Squadron, presented the medal to Skelton during a ceremony on Jan. 12.

“He is a great member of the maintenance squadron. He is an outstanding mechanic, and he is deeply respected by his peers,” said Dixon.

Skelton was at a restaurant on Jan. 11 when he witnessed two elderly women fall face first down an escalator. Skelton immediately went over to aid the women. Both lost consciousness and one was bleeding from her head. He removed both women from the scene and instructed bystanders to activate the emergency stop button and call emergency medical services.

“I didn’t know how to stop the escalator from moving,” said Skelton. “I just fireman dragged these ladies off the escalator. They were getting toward the bottom and with clothing and hair, I didn’t want them getting sucked into the grate.”

When paramedics arrived, Skelton helped escort both women into the ambulance for further medical care.

“I witnessed it, something happens and people just sit around and do nothing but call for help,” said Skelton. “Sometimes you need to act. Yeah we’re trained to respond and not freak out, but just don’t be afraid to help someone.”

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