A tragic incident in Queens, New York, has resulted in the death of a 13-year-old girl and injuries to a 12-year-old female, following what appears to be a subway surfing accident.
On Tuesday, Oct. 29, a spokesperson for the New York City Police Department (NYPD) informed that authorities responded to a 911 call on Sunday, Oct. 27 regarding an individual who was struck by a train at the 111 Street subway station, which services the 7 line.
The 13-year-old victim has been identified as Krystel Romero from Brooklyn, New York.
Reports indicate that the two girls were seemingly riding on top of a subway train, as shared by various news outlets including NBC, Fox, ABC, and a local station.
The police department has announced that the inquiry is still in progress.
During a press conference on October 29 regarding the Interborough Express project, Janno Lieber, the MTA chair and CEO, addressed the situation, stating, “The MTA has made significant efforts to combat this alarming and hazardous trend.” It deeply saddens the community when young ones – many of whom are simply innocent children – suffer injuries or, tragically, lose their lives due to this perilous behavior.
Lieber later remarked: “Hey, this isn’t just a video game.” There are no do-overs; you can’t simply start over. This is a critical moment – any reckless action could cost you everything. Parents, teachers, and caregivers must emphasize to children that this is a serious matter, not a trivial activity. They must prioritize their safety above all else.
On Monday, Oct. 28, New York City Mayor Eric Adams took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his sorrow, stating: “Heartbroken to hear that subway surfing — and the pursuit of social media clout — has stolen another life.”
The recent event on October 27 has been reported as the sixth death associated with subway surfing within the New York City transit system this year, as noted by Gothamist.
The MTA reported on its website that there were four fatalities linked to subway surfing last year. They have collaborated with the NYPD and students from New York City to launch a campaign aimed at discouraging this perilous activity, utilizing public service announcements and social media outreach.