By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-11 22:22:16 | Updated at 2025-01-16 05:03:40
4 days ago
The New York City subway rider who was shoved into the path of an oncoming train on New Year's Eve has spoken publicly about the horrifying incident for the first time.
Joseph Lynskey, a 45-year-old music programmer, miraculously survived after being abruptly pushed into the path of a speeding southbound train at the 18th Street 1 Train station in Manhattan.
Days after the traumatizing attack, he expressed his gratitude through a GoFundMe page, where he passed on his gratitude to his supporters.
'I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, well wishes, and generosity over the past week,' Lynskey wrote. 'While I can't thank each of you individually, please know I will never forget the kindness and goodness you've shown me.'
'A massive thank you to the first responders who saved my life on New Year's Eve, the bystanders — especially the Good Samaritan outside the train who provided comfort—and to the medical teams at Bellevue for their remarkable care.
'I am full of gratitude for every single one of you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.'
Meanwhile, his alleged attacker, 23-year-old Kamel Hawkins, showed no remorse as he was arraigned on attempted murder and second-degree assault charges at Manhattan Criminal Court on New Year's Day.
Despite suffering serious injuries, including a cracked skull, four broken ribs, and a ruptured spleen, Lynskey is expected to make a full recovery.
Joseph Lynskey, a 45-year-old music programmer, miraculously survived after being abruptly shoved into the path of a speeding southbound train at the 18th Street 1 Train station in Manhattan
His alleged attacker, 23-year-old Kamel Hawkins, showed no remorse as he was arraigned on attempted murder and second-degree assault charges at Manhattan Criminal Court on New Year's Day
Surveillance footage captured the chilling moment Lynskey was shoved onto the tracks allegedly by a masked Hawkins, who fled the scene after the attack.
The video showed Lynskey standing near the platform's edge as the train approached when Hawkins approached him from behind.
Noticing the oncoming train, Hawkins allegedly turned and violently pushed Lynskey onto the tracks.
Moments before the attack, two young men had jumped the turnstile to evade paying their fare. After witnessing the assault, they fled the scene.
Firefighters and bystanders rushed to Lynskey's aid, pulling him from beneath the train.
A witness filming the rescue expressed relief when Lynskey was saved, exclaiming, 'He's alive!'
Law enforcement described Lynskey's survival as miraculous, noting he fell perfectly into the trench between the tracks.
Hawkins, who has a history of violent offenses, including assaulting an NYPD officer in 2019 and another assault charge in October 2022, was apprehended hours after the incident following an urgent manhunt.
Authorities said the attack appeared random, as Hawkins did not know the victim.
Shocking footage captured the moment a man was shoved underneath a New York City subway by a masked assailant who fled the scene
Lynskey shared his gratitude toward his supports through his GoFundMe
The subway platform was evacuated as police conducted their investigation, which revealed this attack as part of a troubling rise in violent incidents on New York City's transit system.
The latest incident will put more pressure on officials to bring an end to horror subway attacks.
On Christmas Eve, two people were injured in Manhattan's Grand Central Station after a maniac went on a stabbing rampage.
Sources told the DailyMail.com at the time that a 28-year-old man slashed two strangers with a knife in the seemingly random attack just after 10pm at the busy tourist hotspot.
And just days before, the Big Apple was stunned when a homeless woman was set on fire and burned to death while she slept on a subway car.
The victim was identified Tuesday by the NYPD as Debrina Kawam, a 61-year-old homeless woman from New Jersey.
