Fifteen-year-old boy died “surfing” the roof of a New York City subway car
A fifteen-year-old fatally struck his head while “surfing” on the roof of a subway car yesterday in Staten Island. Several similar tragedies have occurred in recent months.
A 15-year-old teenager fatally struck his head while “surfing” on the roof of a New York City subway car yesterday on Staten Island.
The tragedy occurred between the Annadale and Eltingville stations. The minor was found around 1:15 p.m. unconscious with a head injury on top of the train, according to authorities and the Staten Island Advance portal.
The unidentified juvenile was taken to Staten Island University Hospital North, where he died. “This was a horrific situation that again demonstrates the deadly risk to anyone attempting to surf the subway,” NYC Transit President Richard Davey said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the loved ones who have senselessly lost a child and we continue to encourage teens to find safer ways to seek thrills.”
The child was traveling inside the train car when he decided to climb onto the roof, where he hit his head on an elevated structure, according to the MTA. The investigation is ongoing, the Daily News noted.
Several similar tragedies have occurred in recent months. In March, a 14-year-old boy died after falling between New York City subway cars in The Bronx.
“In New York City, incidents of people riding outside train cars, known as ‘surfing’ on the Subway, have more than quadrupled in a year. Two recent deaths show the dangers of a trend fueled by social media,” The New York Times commented at the time.
The MTA said it would ask social media companies to remove videos of “surfers” from the subway, Chairman Janno Lieber said in February a day after Nazario’s death, Gothamist reported.
Last December another 15-year-old also died when he fell while “surfing” on a J line car while crossing the Williamsburg Bridge.
In August a 15-year-old lost an arm after falling off a northbound R line train at the 74th Street/Roosevelt Avenue station in Jackson Heights (Queens) while trying to climb onto the roof of the car to “surf” on the subway.
In June another 15-year-old hit his head while riding on top of a 7 Line train in Queens and was found unconscious at the 111th Street station.