Teenage Girls Killed in Deadly ‘Subway Surfing’ Stunt Gone Wrong

Two teenage girls lost their lives early Saturday morning in what officials are calling one of the most shocking tragedies yet linked to New York City’s growing “subway surfing” epidemic.

Police responded to a 911 call around 3 a.m. at Brooklyn’s Marcy Avenue station, where officers discovered the bodies of two girls lying motionless on top of a J train. Paramedics pronounced both dead at the scene. Their identities and ages have not yet been released, but officials confirmed they were “young teenagers.”

New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow called the loss “heartbreaking and senseless,” adding, “They somehow thought riding outside a subway train was an acceptable game. It’s not surfing—it’s suicide.”

The deaths mark the latest in a disturbing string of fatalities tied to the viral “subway surfing” trend — a dangerous act in which riders cling to or stand on top of moving trains to capture high-risk videos for social media.

Mayor Eric Adams has repeatedly condemned the trend, calling on platforms to take responsibility for amplifying the reckless behavior. “Social media must be socially responsible,” Adams warned earlier this year. “Subway surfing kills. We need everyone to be part of ending this dangerous threat.”

The New York Police Department has documented a spike in incidents involving subway surfing. According to NYPD data, 229 suspects were detained for the stunt in 2024 — up from 135 the year before. Transit officials say many of those caught were teenagers influenced by viral clips circulating on TikTok and Instagram.

Crichlow urged parents and schools to intervene before tragedy strikes again. “Parents, teachers, and friends need to be clear with loved ones: getting on top of a subway car isn’t thrilling. It’s deadly,” he said.

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani also spoke out, saying, “My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the two teenage girls who tragically lost their lives last night atop the J train. This must serve as a wake-up call for the city.”

Transit unions and city officials have called for stricter enforcement, including potential collaboration with social media companies to remove or block videos encouraging the practice.

Authorities have been warning for months that the “subway surfing” resurgence is tied directly to social media algorithms rewarding dangerous stunts. NYPD Chief of Transit Joseph M. Gulotta issued a plea last year: “The dangers of subway surfing are real and its consequences life-altering. Think twice before risking your life for clicks.”

As investigators continue to piece together how the teens accessed the train roof, grief has spread throughout Brooklyn. Flowers and candles have been placed near Marcy Avenue station. “These were kids,” said one local commuter, shaking his head. “They didn’t deserve to die like this.”

City officials are now facing renewed pressure to address not just subway safety, but the social media ecosystem that continues to glorify deadly behavior — one video at a time.