Deadly Subway Surfing Trend Prompts Urgent Warnings in New York City
NEW YORK – A dangerous social media-fueled trend known as “Subway Surfing” – riding on the roofs of moving subway trains – is escalating in New York City, leaving authorities deeply concerned as the number of injuries adn fatalities rises.Police are actively working to curb the practice, which poses extreme risks to participants.
According to data obtained by telemundo from the New York City Police Department, 128 arrests have been made so far in 2025 related to subway surfing. Tragically, this year has already seen three deaths attributed to the practice. In 2024, six deaths were recorded, and five in 2023, highlighting a disturbing upward trend.
The dangers are severe. Authorities warn that individuals risk falling from the speeding trains, being crushed between the train and tunnel walls, or suffering fatal electrocution from the high-voltage tracks, as reported by ABC.
Law enforcement is employing a multi-pronged approach to combat the trend. Awareness campaigns are underway, alongside the deployment of drones to identify and apprehend those participating in subway surfing. Furthermore, officials have requested social media companies to remove videos showcasing the dangerous challenge, resulting in the deletion of over 1,800 posts in 2025 alone.
The latest victims were two teenagers, ages 12 and 13, found dead on top of a train arriving at a Brooklyn subway station early Saturday, October 4th, around 3:10 AM. Police reports, as detailed by The New York Post, confirm the two young people were practicing subway surfing at the time of their deaths.
Authorities continue to urge the public, especially parents and guardians, to discuss the extreme dangers of this reckless activity with young people.
