Two subway riders in Manhattan pushed onto tracks; 73-year-old Brooklyn man assaulted on train.

In a disturbing series of events on Monday, two subway incidents underscored ongoing concerns about safety in New York City’s public transport system. Both incidents involved unprovoked attacks on unsuspecting straphangers, prompting an increased focus on the unsettling nature of transit violence.

In the first incident, which took place around 10:35 PM at the South Ferry/Whitehall Street station, a 71-year-old man and a 30-year-old man were violently shoved onto the subway tracks during an assault. The older victim suffered a broken elbow, while the younger individual sustained bruising to his elbow and hip. Their alleged attacker, identified as 54-year-old Terrell Coley, was apprehended at the scene and charged with felony assault and reckless endangerment. Police reports indicate that Coley, who has an extensive criminal history with over two dozen prior arrests, confronted the pair before delivering a punch that knocked one victim onto the tracks whilst shoving the other.

Despite the alarming nature of these assaults, citywide subway crime has reported an overall decline of 5% this year. However, the statistics reveal a worrying trend in felony assaults within the transit system, which have surged by 20% compared to last year. This increase has raised concerns among transit advocates and officials about the safety of commuters.

In a separate incident earlier that day at 7:45 AM, a 73-year-old man was assaulted aboard a Brooklyn F train. While seated, he was attacked by a man in his 20s, who repeatedly punched him until he was left with cuts and bruises. The assailant fled the scene at the Avenue X station, and police are currently searching for him. The senior victim received medical treatment for his injuries at South Brooklyn Hospital.

In both cases, the victims were able to regain their footing and alert authorities. Following the assaults, the younger of the two victims from the South Ferry incident was transported to NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, while the older man was taken to Bellevue Hospital for further care.

As the city works to enhance safety measures and restore public confidence in its transit systems, these incidents highlight the pressing need for ongoing vigilance and effective crime prevention strategies. The troubling rise in assault data within the subway network poses a challenge for city officials committed to ensuring the safety and security of all commuters.