Police in New York City are searching for a suspect who hurled a man onto the subway track where a train struck and killed him.
Ki-Suck Han, 58, of Queens, N.Y., was thrown onto the tracks Monday afternoon just after 12:30 from a crowded train platform at the 49th Street and Seventh Avenue station in midtown Manhattan, according to police.
Witnesses told cops that Han tried to climb back on to the subway platform, but was hit by an oncoming train before he could scramble to safety as other bystanders watched in horror.
"I just heard people yelling. The train came to an abrupt stop about three-quarters into the station and that's when I heard a man was hit by a train," Patrick Gomez told ABC News affiliate WABC.
A freelance photographer for the New York Post was on the platform and said he ran towards the train flashing his camera hoping to alert the train to stop in time, but the train caught Han against the shoulder deep platform wall.
The photographer, R. Umar Abbasi, caught an eerie photo of Han with his head and hands above the platform and staring at the oncoming train.
The suspect could be heard arguing with the victim just moments before he allegedly shoved Han onto the tracks, according to surveillance video released by police. The suspect is heard telling the victim to stand in line "and wait for the R train."
Other witnesses told police that the suspect was mumbling to himself shortly before the altercation took place on the crowded platform, according to WABC. Police told WABC that the suspect could be mentally disturbed.
The suspect fled from the scene and police set up a command post outside the train station Monday night searching nearby surveillance cameras to try and get a clear image of the suspect, reports WABC.
Police say the subway suspect is black, 5-feet-10 to 6-feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds. He has dreadlocks and was last seen wearing a gray t-shirt, a dark jacket and a cap.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
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