New York City transit authorities and police are investigating a tragic incident in Brooklyn where two teenage girls were found dead atop a J train car early Friday morning. Officials suspect the deaths were the result of a subway surfing accident, prompting renewed warnings about the perilous activity.
The bodies were discovered around 6:30 a.m. on October 4, 2025, by an MTA employee conducting a routine inspection of a J train at the Broadway Junction station. Both girls were found unresponsive on the roof of a subway car. Emergency services were immediately called to the scene, where the individuals were pronounced dead.
Preliminary investigations by the New York Police Department (NYPD) Transit Bureau indicate that the girls may have been riding on the exterior of the train, a dangerous and illegal practice known as subway surfing. The exact cause of death is pending an examination by the Medical Examiner’s office, but officials believe the fatalities could be due to electrocution from the third rail, contact with overhead structures, or impact from tunnels or bridges.
“We are investigating this heartbreaking incident, and while the investigation is ongoing, preliminary findings strongly suggest the individuals were engaged in subway surfing,” stated an NYPD spokesperson. “This tragic event underscores the extreme dangers of this activity. Our deepest condolences go out to the families affected.”
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) also issued a statement, condemning the practice and reiterating the severe risks involved. MTA officials have consistently warned against riding outside subway cars, highlighting that it can lead to severe injury or death.
“Our thoughts are with the families of these young victims. Subway surfing is not just illegal; it’s a reckless act with potentially fatal consequences, as we have seen tragically demonstrated today,” an MTA representative commented. “We implore young people and their parents to understand that the subway system is a dangerous environment outside the confines of the train car. Stay inside the train, it’s a matter of life and death.”
Subway surfing has seen a concerning resurgence in recent years, particularly among teenagers, leading to a rise in injuries and fatalities across the city’s transit system. Authorities continue to implement campaigns and enforcement measures aimed at deterring the practice, but incidents like this highlight the ongoing challenge.
The identities of the two girls have not yet been released, pending notification of their families. The NYPD’s investigation is ongoing, and authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
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