A 58-year-old Asian woman had to undergo brain surgery after she was dragged down the stairs of a subway station in New York when a man tried to rob her and her son.
Than Htwe and her 22-year-old son Kyaw Zaw Hein were walking up the stairs of Canal Street subway station in Manhattan on Saturday morning when a man attacked them from behind.
The son lost his balance and grabbed onto his mother, who then fell down the stairs with him.
The 22-year-old was not seriously hurt but his mother hit her head on the steps and was critically injured, as per the MailOnline.
They were both rushed to hospital where the 58-year-old woman was treated for a brain injury which required surgery.
She now remains in a critical condition and doctors are doubtful she will make it, as per Yahoo News.
“The doctors told us that the trauma to her head was so severe that she won’t be able to wake up,” her son said.
Hte, who moved from Myanmar to New York in 2018 so her son could get a better education, is described as a “very religious” and “very kind” person by her heartbroken husband.
“Even if people are bad, she treats them well,” he added.
The suspect was caught on surveillance video fleeing the scene. Police are appealing for witnesses to help catch the suspect who they say is wanted for attempted robbery.
“I just want to tell everyone who’s reading this, to always cherish the moments you have with your mother. Tell her ‘I love you’ or give her a hug and kiss because you never know what will happen,” her son said in a statement.
“My family is in shock and hope the police will catch whoever is responsible for the incident and get justice that my mom deserved. Please, if anyone recognizes the person, let the police know so there won’t be any more victims like me.”
The New York Police Department’s Asian Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the incident. Anyone with information is urged to call 800-577-TIPS or send a message to Crime Stoppers on Twitter.
A GoFundMe has so far raised over $35,000 to help pay for medical expenses.
This is so heartbreaking, I cannot imagine what her family is going through.
Please share in the hope that someone can help catch the man responsible.
