In a tragic incident that underscores the deadly risks of so-called “subway surfing,” two teenage girls lost their lives in New York City after attempting to ride on top of a moving subway train. Authorities confirmed that the accident occurred late Monday night on the city’s subway line as the train was entering a tunnel, leaving both victims fatally injured.
According to the New York Police Department, the girls, aged 14 and 15, had reportedly snuck out of their homes to film the stunt for social media. Witnesses said they were seen climbing onto the roof of a train car before disappearing from view as the train gained speed. Emergency services responded quickly, but both girls were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police sources said no foul play is suspected, and early investigations point to the incident being a case of reckless “subway surfing” — a growing trend in which young people record themselves performing dangerous stunts on moving trains.
Transportation officials expressed deep concern over the resurgence of this behavior, which has already claimed several lives in recent years. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released a statement calling the tragedy “a heartbreaking and entirely preventable loss,” urging parents and community leaders to warn young people against such life-threatening acts.
“Subway surfing is not a thrill — it’s a death sentence,” an MTA spokesperson said. “No video, no social media post is worth a life.”
The MTA and NYPD have both intensified efforts to monitor subway platforms and stations with surveillance cameras, while educational campaigns continue to raise awareness about the dangers of train-related stunts.
Authorities have called on social media companies to help curb the spread of videos glorifying such actions, which they say encourage copycat behavior among impressionable youth.
This latest tragedy has renewed discussions about the broader challenges of teenage risk-taking in the age of viral content — and the urgent need for education and intervention before more lives are lost.
