The victims, ages 27 and 28 and from Mexico, were shoved off the northbound F line platform at the Delancey Street/Essex Street station just after 2:15 a.m. Monday.
Officers were already assigned to the station and rushed to the women's aid. A bystander helped the women back onto the platform.
They also helped detain a female suspect who apparently had no shoes and appeared to be in emotional distress.
The suspect, later identified as 42-year-old Ebony Butts, is charged with two counts of reckless endangerment and two counts of assault.
Police say the 28-year-old woman was pushed onto the tracks, and when the 27-year-old tried to help out her friend, she was also pushed by the woman.
The women are recovering at Bellevue Hospital and being treated for minor injuries.
The MTA does have a pilot program in effect to install barriers at certain stations to protect riders from increasing random attacks. It is not fully scaled at this point, but the latest incident certainly brings to mind a need for extra safety measures.
ALSO READ | MTA stops construction on Second Avenue subway amid congestion pricing pause
MTA stops Second Avenue subway expansion construction amid congestion pricing pause
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* More New York City news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube