A 90-year-old former astrophysics professor is recovering after being shoved from a subway train and onto a platform, and police have released images of a suspect they are seeking in the attack.
Dr. C.G. Wang said he had taken the E train to 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue thousands of times over about 10 years and knew exactly where to stand to reach the escalator.
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Wang recalled that the train was fairly empty on the afternoon of Oct. 6. He said someone was standing in front of the door that would open closest to 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.
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Wang suffered broken bones after landing on the platform.
"I landed on my hip first. Then my shoulder, next. Then my head, next. Boom, boom, boom," Wang said.
Wang said his head was not injured, but he required a hip replacement.
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"Who does this? You know, who, who, who would shove a 90-year-old, frail, visually impaired man?" Juin Wang said.
Despite the attack, the family said its primary focus is Wang's recovery.
"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.
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According to the family, Wang had continued commuting to an office to conduct research and write before the attack. While they want the person responsible held accountable, they said their biggest hope is that Wang regains the independence he lost as a result of the incident.
Police are asking anyone who recognizes the man shown in the surveillance video to call 800-577-TIPS.
