Look if I'm being honest I'd probably try to save the people from being tied up. If it's going slow enough that I'd have time to decide whether or not to pull the lever and it's that close to the switch, I'd at least have time to pull someone to safety or try to cut the rope with a sharp rock if I don't have a knife on me.

I know that's not really an answer but i feel like pulling the lever is admitting defeat. I'm not playing this game you know