Renowned PBS News Hour reporter Jane Ferguson was the target of an unprovoked attack on a New York City subway during Monday evening’s rush hour. Ferguson shared on social media that she was on a crowded 4 train when an unidentified man approached her and struck her on the side of her face.
In her account, Ferguson described kneeling down in shock, her ear ringing and face burning from the impact. She decided to speak out about the incident to express her gratitude to a kind stranger who came to her aid.
As Ferguson knelt on the floor, a woman reached out, putting her arm around her shoulder, and pulled her away from the scene. The good Samaritan guided Ferguson off the train at the next stop, took her to the police at Grand Central Station, and ensured she got home safely after offering a comforting hug.
While Ferguson only learned the woman’s first name, Samantha, she wanted to publicly thank her for her compassionate act. In her tweet, she expressed her gratitude and appreciation for New Yorkers like Samantha, who demonstrated kindness in the face of adversity.
Jane Ferguson, a contributor to The New Yorker, is currently based in New York City. She spent more than 13 years as a foreign correspondent in the Middle East and has received numerous accolades for her work, including Polk, Emmy, and DuPont awards.
At this time, it is unclear if any charges have been filed in connection with the attack.