Oct 5, 2025, 4:38 PM
Oct 4, 2025, 8:51 AM

Tragic loss: Two teens die in subway surfing incident in NYC

Tragic
Highlights
  • Two girls, aged 15 to 18, were discovered dead at the Marcy Avenue subway station in Brooklyn following a possible subway surfing incident early Saturday morning.
  • The NYPD confirmed that the victims were pronounced dead at the scene after police responded to reports around 3:10 a.m.
  • This incident emphasizes the growing crisis of subway surfing in New York City, a dangerous practice that has led to numerous fatalities and injuries among youths.
Story

In a tragic incident in Brooklyn, New York, two young girls lost their lives, potentially engaged in the dangerous act of subway surfing. On Saturday, October 4, 2025, police were called to the Marcy Avenue subway station shortly after 3 a.m. where they discovered two unresponsive females. Despite the immediate arrival of emergency medical services, both were pronounced dead on the scene. The authorities have not yet disclosed the names or ages of the victims, but reports indicate they were teenagers between 15 and 18 years old, highlighting the alarming trend of young individuals participating in such hazardous activities. Subway surfing is defined as riding on the exterior of moving subway trains, which includes climbing on top of cars or clinging to the sides. The dangerous practice has seen a resurgence among youth, particularly influenced by social media where videos of subway surfing often go viral. The phenomenon poses significant dangers due to the presence of low-clearance tunnels, electrical risks associated with the third rail, and the possibility of falling onto the train tracks or platforms, making it a fatal endeavor. Recent statistics from the New York Police Department (NYPD) show that in the last three years, the number of reported deaths due to subway surfing has increased dramatically, with sixteen fatalities and twenty-one injuries. Last year, a thirteen-year-old girl was tragically killed after falling onto the train tracks while subway surfing. The NYPD has acknowledged that arrests related to subway surfing have substantially risen, from 135 in 2023 to 229 in 2024, indicating a growing concern regarding the safety of young individuals engaging in this risky behavior. In response to the increasing number of accidents associated with subway surfing, the NYPD has ramped up its enforcement and public safety measures. Mayor Eric Adams previously announced a drone program intended to monitor subway activity and quickly respond to individuals engaging in this life-threatening behavior. The tragic deaths of the two girls underline the urgent need for heightened awareness and prevention strategies to protect young people from the deadly consequences of subway surfing and the perception of it being an acceptable pastime. Investigations into the circumstances of this incident are ongoing, and both the NYPD and New York City Transit are diving deep into understanding the rise in subway surfing and seeking to inform parents and guardians about the illicit nature of such activities. As the investigations proceed, the heartbreak felt by the families of the young victims and those who discovered the aftermath remains a sobering reminder of the dangers lurking within society's emerging trends.

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