The New York City subway rider who was pushed into the path of an oncoming train on New Year’s Eve has spoken publicly about the horrific 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 conveyed his gratitude to his supporters.
“I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love, well wishes and generosity this past week,” Lynskey wrote. “While I cannot thank you all individually, please know that I will never forget the kindness and goodness you have shown me.”
“A huge 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 Bellevue medical teams for their remarkable care.
‘I am full of gratitude for each and every one of you. From the bottom of my heart: thank you.’
Meanwhile, his alleged attacker, 23-year-old Kamel Hawkins, showed no remorse when he was arraigned on New Year’s Day for attempted murder and second-degree assault in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Despite serious injuries, including a fractured 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 pushed 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 when he was arraigned on New Year’s Day for attempted murder and second-degree assault in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Surveillance footage captured the chilling moment Lynskey was pushed onto the tracks, allegedly by a masked Hawkins, who fled the scene after the attack.
The video showed Lynskey standing at the edge of the platform as the train approached when Hawkins approached him from behind.
Hawkins noticed the approaching train, reportedly turned around and violently pushed Lynskey onto the tracks.
Shortly before the attack, two young men had jumped the turnstile to avoid paying their fare. After witnessing the assault, they fled.
Firefighters and bystanders came to Lynskey’s aid and pulled him from under the train.
A witness who filmed the rescue expressed relief when Lynskey was rescued, exclaiming, “He’s alive!”
Law enforcement officials described Lynskey’s survival as miraculous, noting that he fell perfectly into the ditch between the tracks.
Hawkins, who has a history of violent crimes 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 because Hawkins did not know the victim.
Shocking footage of the moment a man was pushed under a New York City subway train by a masked assailant who fled the scene
Lynskey shared his gratitude for his support via his GoFundMe
The subway platform was evacuated while police investigated, which revealed that this attack was part of a disturbing increase in violent incidents on public transportation in New York City.
The latest incident will put more pressure on officials to put an end to the horror attacks in the metro.
On Christmas Eve, two people were injured at Manhattan’s Grand Central Station after a maniac was stabbed.
Sources told DailyMail.com at the time that a 28-year-old man slashed two strangers with a knife in the apparently random attack just after 10pm at the busy tourist hotspot.
And just days before that, the Big Apple was stunned when a homeless woman was set on fire and burned while sleeping on a subway train.
The victim was identified by the NYPD on Tuesday as Debrina Kawam, a 61-year-old homeless woman from New Jersey.