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Gwen Stefani fan credits singer for helping her survive New York City subway attack

By Andrea Vacchiano

Published October 24, 2022

Fox News
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The victim of a New York City subway attack in September said she was inspired by singer Gwen Stefani when she miraculously picked herself up from the train tracks after being assaulted.

The anonymous 22-year-old Brooklynite told FOX 5 New York on Friday that she was punched by a random man after getting off a train at the Crown Heights train station Sept. 19. The assailant then allegedly pushed her onto the tracks.

The victim says that while she was laying down, she was able to pull herself up by remembering that she pulled herself on stage at several Gwen Stefani concerts. At a recent show in Las Vegas, the stage was approximately the same height as the subway platform.

"It's because Gwen's called me on stage so many times," the young woman said. "That's why my body knew what to do."

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Gwen Stefani on red carpet

Gwen Stefani arrives at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Despite her injuries, the woman got back on the train platform and ran out of the station. The victim also said that she suffers from nightmares from the attack.

"Being in the tracks, that's what gives me nightmares," she said. "That was the most scary thing of my life."

New York police said that the suspect ran away after stealing the young woman's phone. The crime is still being investigated.

While the victim has started using the subway for commuting again, she says that she still feels uneasy about it.

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"I just think everybody that looks at me is gonna hurt me," the woman said. "That’s what's changed about me, I don’t trust anyone anymore. I think everyone's going to hurt me now."

Violent crime in New York City's subway system has skyrocketed in the past few years. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced a plan to fund 1,200 additional overtime shifts per day for police officers to patrol the stations.

Law enforcement officers work near the scene of a shooting at a subway station in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, U.S., April 12, 2022

Law enforcement officers work near the scene of a shooting at a subway station in the Brooklyn, April 12, 2022. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)

"My number one priority as governor is keeping New Yorkers safe in the streets, in their homes, in their schools, and on the subway, and we will do whatever it takes to make our subways safer for riders," Hochul said on Saturday.

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Additionally, a 32-year-old man was shoved by an unknown assailant at a subway stop in Brooklyn Friday. The victim sustained physical injuries from the random attack.

Andrea Vacchiano is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Readers can send story tips to andrea.vacchiano@fox.com.

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