A man named Joe Lynskey, 45, is bravely sharing his story after a terrifying incident on New Year’s Eve 2024 in New York City. On December 31, while he was heading home to Brooklyn to prepare for a themed party, Lynskey was unexpectedly pushed onto the subway tracks at the 18th Street station in Chelsea. During a recent interview, he described the moment he was shoved, saying, “I felt the hardest shove and I was flying through the air.”
The suspect in this case, 23-year-old Kamel Hawkins, has been indicted on several charges, including attempted second-degree murder and two counts of assault. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed the indictment, and Hawkins has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that at about 1:33 PM, Hawkins approached Lynskey and pushed him onto the tracks without warning, resulting in serious injuries, such as multiple broken ribs, a fractured skull, and a ruptured spleen. Lynskey was quickly taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he spent five days in intensive care.
Lynskey’s recovery has been supported by family and friends; his sisters even traveled from Florida to be with him. Reflecting on the ordeal, he noted that watching clips of the attack online while in the hospital felt surreal, saying, “It just happens so fast, and you think that I must be dead.”
Fortunately, he narrowly avoided electrocution, emphasizing his awareness of the dangers below the train platform. He recalled, “I knew not to move, I knew not to kick, I knew not to struggle.” Firefighters responded promptly, managing to rescue him safely despite the risks involved.
Describing that moment trapped under the train, Lynskey said it was frightening and painful. While he is still processing the trauma, he is determined to return to riding the subway, stating, “I can’t be a New Yorker and not ride the train.” He believes that both New York City and the Metropolitan Transport Authority must work harder to ensure public safety.
Lynskey is resolute about moving forward, understanding that life can change in an instant. To aid his recovery, a GoFundMe page has been set up, successfully raising substantial funds as he navigates this difficult journey.
