Two teenage girls were tragically discovered dead on top of a train in what appears to be a case of ‘subway surfing’. The incident took place at the Marcy Avenue station in New York City early on a Saturday morning. Authorities suspect that the girls, one of whom was 13 years old, were imitating a dangerous trend that has gained popularity on social media.
Subway surfing, which involves hanging from the roof or sides of a moving train, has become increasingly popular in recent months due to viral videos showcasing youths participating in the risky activity. Reports indicate that five individuals have lost their lives this year while attempting this dangerous stunt, a number equal to the total fatalities recorded from 2018 to 2022 combined.
Police responded to an emergency call around 3 am reporting two unconscious individuals at the Marcy Avenue station in the Williamsburg area. Unfortunately, both girls were declared deceased at the scene.
Demetrius Crichlow, the president of New York City Transit, expressed sorrow over the tragic incident, emphasizing that riding on top of a subway car is not a game but a perilous act that can have fatal consequences. He extended his condolences to the families and transit workers affected by the tragedy.
Following the event, both New York Mayor Eric Adams and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani expressed their condolences and grief for the families of the deceased girls. The incident is not isolated, as police data shows that three individuals lost their lives while subway surfing in August alone, including a 15-year-old boy at Queensboro Plaza station.
Efforts to combat this dangerous trend are being intensified by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in collaboration with New York City and state officials. Since 2023, drones have been deployed to deter and apprehend subway surfers. Additionally, the MTA has partnered with major social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to remove videos promoting this hazardous behavior.