NEW YORK — A 90-year-old former astrophysics professor is recovering after being shoved out of a subway train onto a New York City station platform.
Police have released surveillance images of a man they are seeking in connection with the attack.
Dr. C.G. Wang said he had ridden the E train to the 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue station thousands of times over roughly a decade. He knew precisely where to stand to be closest to the escalator.
“I know exactly which door will be open for the escalator,” Wang said.
Wang recalled that the train was relatively empty on the afternoon of Oct. 6. A person was standing in front of the door nearest the escalator.
“I said, ‘I need to exit here.’ I just said it like that. And he stepped aside. The door opened. I was pushed so hard. I flew out of the train,” Wang said.
Three weeks after the incident, police released surveillance video showing the suspect.
Wang suffered multiple broken bones when he hit the subway platform.
“I landed on my hip first. Then my shoulder, next. Then my head, next. Boom, boom, boom,” Wang said.
Although Wang said he did not suffer a head injury, he needed a hip replacement.
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His son, Juin Wang, met him at the hospital. He said police told the family that Wang had not fallen accidentally but had been pushed.
“Who does this? You know, who? Who would shove a 90-year-old, frail, visually impaired man?” Juin Wang said.
The family said its immediate priority is helping Wang recover from the attack.
“Except for trying to be sure this doesn’t happen to anybody else. But there’s a lot to do to help him build his strength back,” Juin Wang said.
Wang said he had never before been involved in a serious accident.
“I have never had an accident. I have never been in hospital before for myself — ever,” he said.
The family said Wang had continued commuting to an office to conduct research and write until the attack.
While the family wants the person responsible to be held accountable, its main hope is that Wang can regain the independence he lost after the incident.
Police are asking anyone who recognizes the man in the surveillance video to call 800-577-TIPS.
