PIX Reporter Arthur Chi'en Recovering After Attack

PIX News reporter Arthur Chi'en was on board the "Heroes and Villians" float (left) when he was dragged off by a man dressed in a clown costume at Sunday's Village Halloween Parade. Chien suffered a number of injuries to his face and was scheduled for reconstructive surgery Thursday. Police are now looking for the suspect who prompted the incident. (WPIX-TV / October 31, 2010)

WPIX NEWSROOM

2:36 p.m. EDT, November 4, 2010
NEW YORK (WPIX)—
PIX 11 News reporter Arthur Chi'en was scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday, four days after he suffered extensive injuries to his face when an unidentified man yanked him off a float at Sunday's New York City Village Halloween Parade.

Chi'en was on board the "Heroes and Villians" float when the suspect, dressed in a clown costume, attempted to hitch a ride near W. 14th St. along Sixth Avenue just after 9 p.m.

"I started waving him off, telling him it was unsafe but then he grabbed my forearms and tried to pull himself up that way," Chi'en told PIX 11 News as he recounted the ordeal. "The combined weight caused the railing at the top of the float to collapse and we went over. I tried to brace myself but he clung onto me as we fell."

As the two men fell on the pavement, Chi'en landed face first, causing six facial fractures among other injuries. The veteran newsman was rushed to nearby Bellevue Hospital where he remained hospitalized for two days.

Chi'en was scheduled to undergo surgery Thursday, where doctors will attempt to reconstruct the half dozen facial fractures they have labeled a "crash injury." Recovery will be determined on the outcome of Thursday's procedure, Chi'en said.

According to onlookers, the man who prompted the incident fled the scene, leaving an unconscious Chi'en to fend for himself.

PIX 11 News cameras, on location for the live broadcast of the parade, also failed to capture a glimpse of the man who disappeared in the crowd of parade goers.

The suspect was last seen in a white, baggy clown costume with ruffles on the neck and cuffs. He donned a curly, rainbow wig and is described as heavyset measuring approximately 6' in height and 230-240 lbs.

Anyone who has information that can assist authorities in apprehending the suspect, is urged to call police.

As Chi'en begins a grueling road to recovery, his main goal is to put the incident behind him and get back to work.

"I'm focused on recovering and returning to WPIX to serve our audience as quickly as possible. And am deeply grateful for the well wishes from friends and family."

Chi'en has won a number of Emmy awards throughout his career at WPIX-TV. He has been with the station since 2005.