Two teenage girls were discovered deceased on top of a train in what appears to be a ‘subway surfing’ incident. The girls, one of them 13 years old, were found lifeless at Marcy Avenue station in New York City early on a Saturday morning. Authorities suspect that they were imitating a dangerous trend that has gained popularity on social media.
Subway surfing, a risky activity involving hanging from the roof or sides of a moving train, has become increasingly popular recently due to viral videos showcasing youths participating in the stunt. Officials in New York report that five individuals have lost their lives attempting this dangerous act this year alone, equaling the total number of fatalities from similar incidents over the past five years between 2018 and 2022.
Police were alerted to the situation after receiving an emergency call shortly after 3 am reporting two unconscious individuals at Marcy Avenue station in the Williamsburg area. Both girls were pronounced dead at the scene.
Demetrius Crichlow, the president of New York City Transit, expressed sorrow over the tragedy, stating, “It’s heartbreaking that two young girls are gone because they somehow thought riding outside a subway train was an acceptable game.” He emphasized the need for parents, teachers, and friends to educate their loved ones about the dangers of such activities.
In response to the tragic incident, New York Mayor Eric Adams shared his condolences on Twitter, expressing his sadness over the loss of the two girls. Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani also expressed sympathy for the families of the teenagers who lost their lives in the subway surfing incident.
According to police data, three people lost their lives while subway surfing in August alone, including a 15-year-old boy at Queensboro Plaza station. Efforts by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York City and state officials to combat this practice have included using drones since 2023 to identify and deter subway surfers. The MTA has collaborated with social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to remove videos promoting this dangerous behavior.
