Joseph Lynskey never imagined his New Year’s Eve would end with him lying on the subway tracks, staring death in the face. The 45-year-old was waiting for a train at Manhattan’s 18th Street station when, out of nowhere, a stranger shoved him onto the tracks.
“I just thought, ‘I’ve been pushed, and I’m going to die,’” Lynskey recalled. The fall left him with a fractured skull, four broken ribs, and a ruptured spleen. But against all odds, he survived.
How He Survived the Unthinkable
Lynskey hit the ground hard but stayed conscious. As the train approached, he knew he couldn’t make any sudden movements—the electrified third rail was just inches away. Instead, he stayed still, called out for help, and waited.
Bystanders immediately alerted emergency responders, who arrived within minutes. Rescuers carefully pulled him out from under the train and rushed him to Bellevue Hospital. He spent five days in intensive care and a total of seven days recovering.
The Attacker and the Aftermath
The man accused of pushing Lynskey, 23-year-old Kamel Hawkins, was arrested later that day. He has been charged with attempted murder and assault but has pleaded not guilty. His court date is set for April 16.
Meanwhile, Lynskey is choosing to focus on healing rather than anger. “I’m choosing not to focus on the resentment or negativity,” he said. “It’s a powerful reminder that this can all be taken away from you in an instant.”
