Kids in New York keep dying while ‘subway surfing’

The dangerous trend of subway surfing—riding on top of moving subway trains—has claimed multiple young lives in New York City, despite efforts to curb the activity. One such victim was 15-year-old Ka’Von Wooden, who died in December 2022 after falling from a J train in Brooklyn. His mother, Y’Vonda Maxwell, and transit workers like train operator Tyesha Elcock are calling for stronger safety measures to prevent further deaths.

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has tried public awareness campaigns and social media takedowns of subway surfing videos, but critics argue these efforts are insufficient. Possible solutions, like locking the doors between train cars to block access to the roof, remain under consideration but raise safety concerns. Other ideas include installing cameras, AI detection systems, and redesigning subway cars to make climbing more difficult, but cost and feasibility remain barriers.

With six deaths in 2024 alone and arrests of subway surfers rising, the city faces increasing pressure to implement lasting solutions to stop this deadly practice before more lives are lost.

Source: AP News