Man Nabbed in Yet Another Subway Attack

This time in Philadelphia, and this time, the victim survives
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 18, 2013 7:19 AM CST
Man Nabbed in Yet Another Subway Attack
A screen grab from security footage, via 6ABC.   (6abc.com)

Let's hope subway-pushing isn't turning into a horrific trend: After beating a woman at a Philadelphia subway station, a man dragged her by the ankle and tossed her onto the subway tracks Tuesday afternoon, ABC's local affiliate reports. In this case, however, the woman survived with just some bruises. The whole thing was caught on surveillance video—including the suspect's snatching of the woman's phone.

Police have now arrested the man, who was wearing a unique jacket, they say. The motive remains unclear; police say the man is mentally challenged, the Philadelphia Daily News reports. He reportedly approached the victim asking for a lighter, and grabbed her after she provided it. "Thank God she wasn't knocked unconscious in that track area," says the transport police chief. It's also good she didn't touch the electrical third rail: "If you touch that third rail, you die." Click through for some rather disturbing video. In other happier subway news, a New York subway driver brought his train to a sudden, life-saving halt when a woman appeared on the tracks; she'd had a seizure at the station and fallen down. Check out the photo at Mashable. (More subway stories.)

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