A tragic incident unfolded in Queens, New York, on Friday when a 15-year-old boy lost his life in what is suspected to be a case of subway surfing. The teenager was found lifeless around 5:30 p.m. on the train bed of the elevated tracks at the Beach 90th Street Station in the Rockaways, as per the New York Police Department (NYPD).
The young victim had sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is currently probing the incident, suspecting it to be a case of subway surfing. This dangerous trend has been increasingly popular among thrill-seeking teenagers in New York City.
Subway surfing is a perilous act where individuals stand on top of a moving train. This reckless behavior has resulted in numerous injuries and fatalities. In a similar incident in June, a 13-year-old boy fell from a northbound 6-train in the Bronx onto the street below the elevated tracks, resulting in his death. On the same day, another 15-year-old boy was seriously injured while riding on top of the same subway line.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has noted a significant surge in such incidents. During the first half of 2023, there were 450 reports of people riding outside of trains, including on top of them. This marks a significant increase from the 262 incidents reported during the same period in 2019.
The NYPD and MTA are urging the public, particularly teenagers, to avoid such dangerous activities. They are also devising strategies to prevent such incidents, including ramping up surveillance and launching public awareness campaigns about the dangers of subway surfing.
The tragic loss of the young boy serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of subway surfing. Authorities are working diligently to curb this dangerous trend and ensure the safety of all subway riders.