Press Article: Subway Surfing Continues to Claim Lives Amid Safety Campaigns in Queens
In a tragic incident at the 111th Street subway platform in Corona, Queens, a 13-year-old girl lost her life, and another girl was left critically injured while engaging in the dangerous activity known as subway surfing. This incident occurred just hours before several construction workers witnessed young people riding atop subway cars on Monday morning, seemingly undeterred by the MTA’s warning ad: “Don’t lose your life. Ride inside, stay alive.”
Despite increased awareness campaigns and enforcement efforts by city officials and the MTA, subway surfing persists as a perilous trend among youth. The deceased girl marks the sixth victim of this activity this year, echoing the five fatalities from the same period in 2022. Observers, including local commuters, expressed frustration and disbelief at the continued risk-taking behavior. Kyae Boyd, a witness at the 103rd Street station, likened the act to standing on an airplane, emphasizing the inherent dangers involved.
Community members blame the influence of social media for encouraging this reckless behavior, with 17-year-old Miguel Degante recalling the death of his cousin in a similar accident last year. Meanwhile, Norma Navarro highlighted the need for greater parental awareness and dialogue about the dangers of subway surfing.
Mayor Eric Adams expressed his heartbreak over the loss of life linked to the quest for social media fame, urging collective action to combat this trend: “No post is worth your future." Efforts to curb subway surfing have included educational initiatives and law enforcement tactics, such as drone surveillance, but incidents continue to occur.
As fear grips the community, the police reported that the injured teen is currently in critical condition, while the identity of the girl who tragically fell remains undisclosed. The need for proactive measures and education about subway surfing has never been more urgent.
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Photo credit gothamist.com
