Cheektowaga, N.Y.
Authorities in New York state are calling a man a hero for rescuing several people who got stuck in blizzard conditions over the holiday weekend.
According to the Cheektowaga Police Department, a man named Jay left a note behind at Pine Hill School over Christmas weekend after breaking into the school.
Authorities said Jay apologized in the note for the break-in but said he needed to borrow a snowblower to help clear a path to get people inside and out of the deadly blizzard conditions.
The police department shared images from the school’s security cameras that captured Jay’s actions that evening.
According to police, Jay wrote in his note that he had gotten stuck at 8 p.m. on Dec. 23 and slept in his truck with two strangers just trying not to die.
The man noted that seven older people also got stuck and were out of fuel that night. Police said Jay shared that he had to break into the school to save everyone and get them shelter, along with food and a bathroom.
Officers said they were initially alerted about an alarm at the school but couldn’t respond due to the dangerous weather conditions.
Police noted that once they entered the school, they found a freezer still fully stocked with food, and everything that the group used was returned to the same spot it was found.
Police said the group appeared to eat and use equipment just enough for them to survive. Additionally, two dogs were able to take shelter that evening.
Cheektowaga police said they first shared the rescue story to help identify Jay and thank him for his actions.
On Thursday, the department said the man was identified with the help of family and friends.
Authorities said Jay and the group are now like family after surviving that evening and are planning a summer get-together.