Two teenage girls were tragically discovered deceased on top of a train in what appears to be a case of ‘subway surfing’. The incident took place at Marcy Avenue station in New York City during the early hours of Saturday morning. Authorities suspect the girls, one of whom was 13 years old, were imitating a dangerous trend that has gained traction on social media platforms.
Subway surfing, a reckless activity involving hanging onto the exterior of a moving train, has gained popularity through viral videos showcasing daring stunts. Five individuals have lost their lives attempting this dangerous feat this year alone in New York, which matches the total fatalities recorded over the preceding five years from 2018 to 2022.
Emergency services responded to a distress call around 3am reporting two unconscious individuals at Marcy Avenue station in the Williamsburg neighborhood. Unfortunately, both girls were pronounced dead at the scene.
Demetrius Crichlow, the president of New York City Transit, expressed sorrow over the incident, emphasizing the tragic consequences of engaging in such perilous behavior. He urged parents, educators, and peers to emphasize the severe risks associated with riding on top of subway cars.
In response to the tragedy, New York Mayor Eric Adams conveyed his condolences, acknowledging the loss of the two young girls due to subway surfing. Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani also expressed sympathy for the families affected by the heartbreaking incident.
Recent police data reveals that three individuals lost their lives while subway surfing in August, including a 15-year-old boy at Queensboro Plaza station. Efforts by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and state officials to curb this dangerous activity have involved the use of drones since 2023 to monitor and discourage subway surfers. Additionally, collaboration with social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok has been initiated to remove videos promoting such risky behavior.
