A 13-year-old boy was killed and a 15-year-old was critically injured in separate incidents of “subway surfing” in the Bronx early Friday. The first accident occurred at the Middletown Road station in Pelham Bay, where the younger teen fell from a northbound No. 6 train and was pronounced dead at the scene; the boy was allegedly “surfing”, riding atop the train car. Hours earlier, a 15-year-old suffered severe injuries at the Morris Ave.-Soundview station while riding atop another No. 6 train.
“These incidents are tragic reminders that riding outside of subway cars is extremely dangerous, not a cheap thrill,” stated NYC Transit Interim President Demetrius Crichlow.
The surge in subway surfing incidents, with 450 cases reported in the first half of 2023, underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness and preventive measures. The MTA and NYPD have intensified efforts, including public safety campaigns and drone surveillance, to curb this dangerous behavior among teens.