Subway Surfer Dies After Falling From Top Of Southbound J Train, Police Say
Oct. 2, 2021, 4:48 p.m.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 32-year-old man was fatally struck by a northbound train after he lost his footing while "subway surfing" on top a moving southbound J train early Saturday morning, according to police.
Police say the incident happened at around 4:30 a.m. after the man stood on top of the roof of the J train car, which was heading toward the Williamsburg Bridge from the Essex Street station. Investigators later determined the victim slipped from the subway roof and landed on the northbound side of the tracks, which abuts the southbound side. where he was run over by another subway train.
The MTA temporarily suspended service, cutting off the power as emergency crews responded, but service resumed several hours later. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not disclosed the man's identity pending family notification. No one else was injured.
Incidents involving subway surfers have led to deadly consequences. In November 2019, a 14-year-old Bronx boy died after riding atop the 7 train. That year saw a 15% rise in the number of subway surfing incidents compared to 2018, according to statistics reported by THE CITY.