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Haley Brown

The Deadly Trend of Subway Surfing

Updated: Nov 19

BY: HALEY BROWN / STAFF WRITER


(Photo Credit: New York Post)

In recent months, subway surfing has become a rising trend in New York City. This is not in reference to the game you see playing on half of the TikTok videos. This is about real-life subway surfing, where people hop on top of train cars instead of going inside them. In recent months subway surfing has started to trend among teenagers and young adults, tragically claiming the lives of multiple young New Yorkers. 


Despite public awareness campaigns and heightened security measures, the trend has shown little sign of slowing down, prompting city officials, the NYPD, and the Department of Education to ramp up their prevention efforts. Train riders and onlookers have reported seeing kids regularly subway surfing, often during rush hours and at prominent stops such as Queensboro Plaza. 


Over the past year, the MTA has documented six deaths resulting from subway surfing, with the 7 line in particular becoming a focal point due to its elevated and outdoor sections. Many believe this trend has come about with the promotion of subway surfing on social media. On both social media platforms Youtube and TikTok, It's been framed as a cool daring activity, instead of a dangerous mistake. 


The most recent incident was on Sunday, October 20th, involving two teenage girls who fell while surfing the 7 line in Queens. One was killed instantly after falling onto the tracks at 111 Street Station, while the other sustained a fractured skull and remains hospitalized with critical brain injuries.


(workers carrying out body of 14-year old subway surfer in Brooklyn)
(Photo: Credit: New York Post)

Earlier cases reflect a similarly devastating pattern. In September, 11-year-old Cayden Thompson lost his life after surfing on top of the G train. February of last year saw another tragic loss with the death of 15-year-old Zachary Nazario, who was fatally injured in a similar accident, as well as many other deaths in 2023, but the trend only grows and becomes more frequent with each day. 


In response to this alarming trend, the NYPD has turned to technology as a means of curbing subway surfing incidents. Drones now patrol subway lines, allowing police to monitor and intervene in real-time. To date, nearly 900 drone flights have been conducted, with officers spotting and helping prevent over 100 subway surfing incidents. When drones detect individuals on top of the subway cars, officers are dispatched along the train’s route, instead of stopping the train itself to prevent potential injuries.


(Mayor Adams discussing subway surfing at nov. 4 press conference)
(Photo Credit: New York Post)

Families of victims and officials alike argue that the influence of social media is the leading reason behind the trend of subway surfing. In response to the social media uproar glamorizing the deadly activity, cities are cooperating with social media companies to get rid of the trend. 


Officials and citizens are advocating for the restriction of content featuring subway surfing to be spread on their platforms. They ask companies to stop boosting such content, despite its popularity, to avoid peer pressure and curiosity that may drive teens to participate in this risky behavior. 


As New York City confronts the tragic consequences of this subway surfing fad, city officials, police, and families affected are calling for heightened awareness and preventive action. The city is mobilizing a multifaceted approach to keep young New Yorkers safe. They hope these efforts will reduce incidents, keep this trend from continuing, and spare families from experiencing such preventable tragedies.

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