New York Subway
Platform screen doors, widely used around the world, could have saved Ki-Suck Han's life. NYC's MTA says they're too costly. Reuters

A 58-year-old man was killed Monday after being pushed in front of an oncoming New York City subway car, The New York Times reports.

The unnamed victim was struck by a southbound Q train at the 49th Street station around 12:30 p.m., police said.

The investigation continues, but police say it appears the man was pushed onto the tracks during an altercation with another man.

The victim tried to climb back onto the platform, but was struck by the train. He was rushed to St. Luke's Hospital, where he died shortly afterward.

Several other witnesses were also taken to the hospital suffering from shock and trauma after observing the incident.

Police are describing the suspect as a man in his mid-20's wearing a white T-shirt, a down coat, with short dreadlocks.

Patrick Gomez, who was entering the station at the time of the collision, described the scene to AM New York as one of shock and confusion.

"It was a lot of confusion. It was a lot of people getting scared," Gomez said.. "A fight between a kid and man in his 60s is just crazy."

According to the Times, the last time someone was pushed into and struck by a train in New York was in 2010. The female victim suffered broken bones and a punctured lung, but survived. In June of this year, a woman was pushed onto the tracks but was hauled to safety.