MTA vet kept cool in chaos

MTA CRISIS GETS WORSE IN HARLEM CRASH

THERE WAS screeching, the sound of metal ripping against metal, and the sickening feeling of an entire subway train lurching forward and backward before coming to a stop — but motorman Christopher Miller knew he had to keep his cool.

When the southbound A train he was operating struck an errant piece of rail and jumped the tracks Tuesday morning, Miller (photo), who has 15 years’ experience with the MTA, and 11 as a motorman, knew his first responsibility was to make sure the passengers were safe.

“We got everybody out, that’s what we had to do first because it was dark, the lights were out in the car, and we had no power,” he told the Daily News in an exclusive interview.

“You can’t leave people in a train like that packed by themselves.”

Thirty-four passengers were treated for minor injuries when two cars skidded off the tracks and slammed into a wall around 9:45 a.m.

“I didn’t know we got off the rail until we evacuated,” the motorman told The News.

Miller, 44, said the train was traveling 20-25 mph as it entered the 125th St. station. He was working with a trainee and a conductor when the train came to a sudden, jarring stop.

“It was a rough emergency break,” he said. “It lunged forward and then it pulled back, then it lunged forward again and it stopped.”

But no one had pulled the emergency brake. He knew whatever caused the crash came from outside, and he quickly reassured the trainee they weren’t at fault.

“Whatever happened to that train was underneath, and the first two cars were already in the station,” Miller said.

The Richmond Hill, Queens, resident was stunned by the severity of the wreck, but glad no one was seriously injured.

“This is my first, I won’t forget it,” Miller said of the derailment. “When it happens, you just try to be prepared for it. This is another day in the office.”