Teen Killed, Another Critically Injured In Subway Surfing Incident on Williamsburg Bridge

Yisroel R.

A 14-year-old boy was killed and an 18-year-old was left critically injured Friday evening after the two were running on top of a moving J train as it crossed the Williamsburg Bridge into Manhattan, a dangerous stunt known as “subway surfing”.

The incident happened shortly before 6 p.m. as the train was heading toward the Lower East Side. One of the teens fell onto the tracks on the bridge, while the other fell through part of the bridge structure and landed in a lot near Delancey Street.

Both teens were taken to Bellevue Hospital, where the 14-year-old was pronounced dead. The 18-year-old remained in critical condition.

Subway surfing refers to riding or moving around on the outside or roof of a moving subway train. The trend has spread among teens in recent years, imitating the popular video game ‘Subway Surfers’ and filming the stunt for social media.

Transit officials have warned that subway surfing can turn deadly within seconds, as riders can lose their balance, fall from the train, or be struck by tunnels, beams, signs, and other parts of the subway system.

The MTA and NYPD have repeatedly urged young people not to attempt the stunt, warning that the risk is not worth a video or online attention.