Police say a straphanger was violently shoved on the subway tracks in the West Village on Saturday by a man who had earlier helped him get off the roadbed.
According to police officials, the bizarre altercation began at around 4:45 p.m. at the West 4th Precinct, where the suspect bumped into the victim and an altercation began that quickly escalated into violence.
The 34-year-old suspect, who had a long rap sheet, “fell” onto the southbound A train tracks during the scuffle, New York City police said.
The victim, also 34, helped the man back onto the platform, but was punched in the face in retaliation, forcing him to the roadbed where his attacker had landed earlier.
Fortunately, the train did not stop at the station, but witnesses helped the second man to safety, police said.
Police officers who were already on the premises rushed to the scene and deployed maces on the instigators.
He was taken into custody and taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment.
The victim refused medical treatment.
Charges were still pending Saturday, but law enforcement officials said the suspect had a history of 21 crimes, including robbery and assaulting an EMT.
