Two Teen Girls Found Dead on NYC Subway Tracks, subway Surfing Suspected
NEW YORK – Two teenage girls were found dead on the J train tracks in Brooklyn early Saturday, adn authorities suspect they were victims of subway surfing, the hazardous practice of riding on top of moving trains. The incident has reignited concerns about the escalating trend among youth and prompted renewed calls for preventative measures.
The girls, whose identities have not yet been released, were discovered near the Williamsburg station around 4:30 a.m. on October 4, 2025, according to police. Investigators believe they were attempting to subway surf when they fell from the train. this tragedy marks the latest in a disturbing rise of subway surfing-related deaths and injuries in New York City.
Subway surfing, while not new, gained prominence in recent years, fueled in part by social media challenges. The NYPD began tracking incidents in 2022, after officials noted the trend’s emergence. Since than, at least nine people have died consequently of the practice – six in 2024 and five in 2023, with three additional deaths reported in 2025 prior to Saturday’s incident.Hours before the discovery of the girls’ bodies, a 14-year-old boy was hospitalized after falling from a Manhattan-bound 7 train in Queens.
City and state officials launched a public details campaign in September 2023, titled “Subway Surfing Kills − Ride Inside, Stay Alive,” to deter the dangerous behavior. New York City has also taken legal action, suing five social media companies in February 2024, alleging they contribute to harm to youth mental health and facilitate the spread of subway surfing content.the NYPD has deployed drones to monitor subway lines as part of increased surveillance efforts.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has collaborated with platforms like TikTok and Instagram to remove videos depicting subway surfing, having taken down over 1,800 videos through June 2025. Despite these efforts, the dangerous trend persists. Regular announcements warning against subway surfing are broadcast throughout the subway system, and recently, Bronx-born rapper Cardi B recorded public service announcements urging riders to stay safe.
The examination into Saturday’s deaths is ongoing. Authorities are urging parents and guardians to speak with their children about the extreme dangers of subway surfing.
