Man Recovers After Being Pushed Onto NYC Subway Tracks; Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder

A man narrowly escaped death after being pushed onto the subway tracks just moments before a train was set to arrive in New York City on New Year’s Eve, and his family reports that he is on the path to recovery. The individual accused of this act is currently detained without bail, facing charges of attempted murder and assault.

Joseph Lynskey, aged 45, was on the platform of the West 18th Street station in Manhattan’s Chelsea area on Tuesday afternoon when he was suddenly shoved onto the tracks by another man as a 1 train approached. Authorities classified the incident as a random act of violence.

According to police, Lynskey’s condition has improved from critical to stable. His injuries include a fractured skull, broken ribs, and a ruptured spleen, as reported by officials.

His sister, Jennifer Lynskey, shared on Facebook, “Miraculously, he survived this horrific attack, but he has sustained numerous injuries and remains hospitalized in New York.” She added, “Anyone who knows Joe recognizes him as one of the sweetest, most thoughtful, and compassionate individuals.”

“Joe faces a significant recovery ahead, both physically and mentally,” she noted.

Jennifer encouraged the public to contribute to a GoFundMe page aimed at covering his medical bills and other expenses. As of Thursday afternoon, the fundraiser had garnered over $70,000.

Joseph Lynskey did not respond to phone or email inquiries on Thursday.

A police report indicated that surveillance footage captured the moment the suspect pushed Lynskey onto the tracks as a train was approaching, leading to him being struck by the train.

The video circulated by news outlets depicts a man seemingly distracted by his phone, as another man in a dark jacket and hood approaches from behind, abruptly pushes him, and watches him fall onto the tracks just before the train arrives.

Additional videos shared on social media show firefighters accessing the tracks through a gap between train cars to rescue a person and lift them back onto the platform.

Officials did not clarify how Lynskey managed to escape with only broken bones. Although a direct impact from a train can often be lethal, some individuals who fall onto New York City’s tracks do survive. Safety specialists suggest that if it’s impossible to climb back onto the platform or avoid a slowing train, lying down in the trough between the tracks might be a viable option, as there can be gaps between the train and the platform at various stations.

Kamel Hawkins, 23, was apprehended later that same day. A Manhattan judge sanctioned a request from the prosecution on Wednesday to hold the Brooklyn resident without bail until his next court date on Monday.

Hawkins has prior assault and harassment charges in Brooklyn, including allegations of throwing bleach at a woman and attempting to break into her home following threats, as cited by prosecutors.

Hawkins’ attorney in the subway case, Darryl Hairston, did not return a phone call on Thursday. His lawyer in the Brooklyn case, Jeremy Gross, stated he had no immediate comment.

Hawkins’ father, Shamel Spencer, expressed his shock regarding the accusations. While he acknowledged his son has faced some legal issues, he never imagined his son would be implicated in such a violent crime. He mentioned he had been trying to get help for his son due to concerns over his mental well-being, as he had seemed off in recent weeks.

“He’s not a bad kid at all,” Spencer said.

The fear of being pushed onto the tracks haunts many New Yorkers. Though such incidents are infrequent compared to the millions of subway journeys daily, a similar case in March resulted in a fatality in East Harlem.

Generally, subway safety in New York mirrors the overall safety of the city. However, serious crimes like stabbings and pushes instill fear among riders, with more than 1 billion users on the subway in 2024.

Crime statistics reveal that major crimes in subways decreased through November compared to the previous year, while the number of homicides increased from five to nine.

By Dave Collins