Musician Who Survived Being Pushed onto New York City Subway Tracks Shares How He Forced Himself to Ride the System Again in Manhattan

Joseph Lynskey knows firsthand the nightmare every New Yorker fears: being shoved onto subway tracks.

One New Year’s Eve in 2024, that fear became a horrifying reality, leaving him trapped beneath a roaring train at the 18th Street station in Manhattan.

Now, a year later, Lynskey is not just surviving—he’s reclaiming his city, one subway ride at a time.

The Shocking Moment

On December 31, 2024, Lynskey, a 46-year-old music programmer, believed he was alone on the platform.

Suddenly, as a Brooklyn-bound train barreled into the station, he felt a powerful shove from behind.

He woke to the unimaginable: the train had stopped on top of him.

For nearly nine minutes, Lynskey lay inches from the electrified third rail, bleeding heavily and screaming for help.

His rescue was aided by a passerby who kept him conscious and firefighters trained just days prior for such emergencies.

Within minutes, he was pulled from the tracks, suffering four broken ribs, a fractured skull, a ruptured spleen, and a concussion.

A Community’s Response and the Legal Battle

The attack, carried out by 23-year-old Kamel Hawkins, appeared to be random.

Hawkins, who has prior criminal convictions and mental health issues, was arrested and charged with second-degree attempted murder, though his trial has been delayed for psychiatric evaluation.

Meanwhile, Lynskey filed a lawsuit against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the city, alleging negligence in rider safety.

The suit claims the agencies ignored engineering recommendations and data warning of potential push incidents.

His attorneys argue this is about more than compensation—it’s about preventing future tragedies.

The Road to Recovery

Physical healing was only the beginning.

Lynskey spent weeks avoiding the subway, relying on Uber rides and cycling to regain a sense of mobility.

Exposure therapy became his lifeline.

Starting above ground at the Manhattan Bridge, he reacquainted himself with the sounds and rhythm of trains.

Gradually, he progressed from sitting on station steps to standing safely on platforms.

Each step required confronting lingering trauma: sleepless nights, panic attacks, and the vivid memory of that almost fatal shove.

Rediscovering Life in the City

Despite his trauma, Lynskey refused to let fear dominate his life.

He attended concerts, visited art exhibitions, and watched tennis matches, using cycling as a bridge back to normalcy.

The death of his 16-year-old dachshund, Leo, became a turning point.

With two close friends, he descended into the Fulton Street station, finally stepping back onto a moving train.

He cried—not in despair, but in triumph.

Observing Safety and Questioning Priorities

Returning to the subway revealed a stark contrast between safety measures and other MTA investments.

Lynskey noticed sporadic waist-high platform barriers, minimal in scope, compared to the high-tech entry gates designed to prevent fare evasion—a $1.1 billion project.

He expressed concern that protecting riders was not prioritized in line with fare system improvements.

“The subway is the lifeline of this city,” he said.

“No New Yorker should have to cling to a pillar to feel safe.”

What’s Next?

Lynskey is committed to using his experience as a force for change.

Beyond his lawsuit, he plans to advocate for improved subway safety measures and educate others about trauma recovery.

He also intends to focus on service, believing his survival has a purpose: helping prevent others from facing the same nightmare.

Summary

Joseph Lynskey’s story is one of survival, resilience, and activism.

Shoved onto New York City subway tracks on New Year’s Eve 2024, he endured serious injuries and nearly fatal trauma.

After months of recovery and exposure therapy, he returned to riding the subway while filing a lawsuit against the MTA and the city for negligence.

Lynskey now rides cautiously, observes safety measures, and urges stronger protections for all riders.

His journey illustrates both the physical and emotional challenges of facing and overcoming a traumatic event in one of the world’s busiest transit systems.

What’s next? Lynskey continues to pursue justice through the courts, advocate for improved subway safety, and transform his personal trauma into public awareness and service, aiming to make the city safer for every commuter.