A 15-year-old boy tragically lost his life on Friday in Queens, New York, in what authorities believe to be a subway surfing incident. The teenager was discovered shortly before 5:30 p.m. on the train bed of the elevated tracks at the Beach 90th Street Station in the Rockaways, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).
The young boy, who had sustained severe head injuries, was declared dead at the scene. The NYPD is currently investigating the incident as a potential case of subway surfing, a dangerous trend that has been gaining popularity among thrill-seeking teenagers in New York City.
Subway surfing involves individuals standing on top of a moving train, a risky act that has led to numerous injuries and fatalities. In June, a 13-year-old boy died after falling from a northbound 6-train in the Bronx onto the street below the elevated tracks. 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 reported a significant increase 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 is a significant increase from the 262 incidents reported during the same period in 2019.
The NYPD and MTA are urging the public, especially teenagers, to refrain from such dangerous activities. They are also working on strategies to prevent such incidents, including increased surveillance and public awareness campaigns about the dangers of subway surfing.