90-Year-Old Astrophysicist Shoved Off NYC Subway, Suffers Broken Bones

A 90-year-old astrophysicist professor was severely injured and required hip replacement surgery after being pushed off a New York City subway by an assailant. Dr. C.G. Wang sustained multiple broken bones in the unprovoked attack on a southbound F-train.

The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on October 6 at the Lexington Avenue and East 53rd Street station. According to Dr. Wang, he politely asked a fellow passenger to move so he could exit the train, and in response, he was forcefully pushed out as the doors opened.

"I said I need to exit… here. I just said it like that," Wang told ABC 7. "And he stepped aside. The door opened. I was pushed so hard I flew out of the train."

He recounted landing first on his hip, then his shoulder, and finally his head. The professor, who had no prior hospitalizations, was taken by emergency services to NYU Langone Tisch Hospital in stable condition. The NYPD released surveillance photos of the suspect on Wednesday, seeking the public's assistance in identifying him. The man is described as being in his 40s or 50s, of medium build, and was seen wearing a black jacket and a black baseball cap. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction.

"Who does this? Who would shove a 90-year-old, frail, visually impaired man?" asked the professor's son, Juin Wang. He added that the family's priority is his father's recovery but they also want to ensure such an incident does not happen to anyone else.

Prior to the attack, Dr. Wang was living independently and regularly commuted to his office for research and writing.