A man is dragged to his death by a New York train after his clothes get caught in the carriage door
A New York subway rider ran to catch a Manhattan train when he became trapped in the gate and ended up being dragged to his death, authorities said, highlighting the potential dangers of the public transportation system.
The 20-year-old man, who has not been identified, ran across the platform to board the southbound No. 1 train at the Columbus Circle station after 5 p.m., the victim was holding the door open when somehow her clothes got caught.
Seconds later the train began to move, dragging him with it, and was hit by a train going in the opposite direction.
New York Police Department officers stated that the man died of his injuries.
It is not clear if anyone could have observed him struggling, if the driver could have opened the doors or why the doors did not automatically stay open when he was trapped.
For his part, NYC Transit President Richard Davey said in a statement that he offered his condolences to the man’s family and vowed to conduct a thorough investigation.
“While the investigation is in its early stages, it appears this was a terrible accident involving no criminal activity,” Davey said, likely trying to calm down people concerned about the rise in unprovoked violence.
“A person on the tracks was struck by a train and our thoughts are with his family, the train operator and the passengers who witnessed this tragedy. We will get to the cause and learn the lessons that may arise, as there is no higher priority than safety.”
This tragic death comes just three days after 32-year-old David Martin was pushed onto the train tracks last Friday in an apparent random attack. Lamele McRae, 41, was identified as responsible for this act and was arrested on Monday for that crime.
Also, a 26-year-old man suffered leg injuries after being pushed onto the tracks, in another alleged random attack, allegedly by a homeless man who was later arrested.
Violence in the New York subway system has left citizens worried and nervous about the increase in crime on the subway.
Governor Kathy Holchu and Mayor Eric Adams announced plans this weekend to increase the number of police officers patrolling the entire city rail system.
Also read:
- VIDEO: They arrest a subject who pushed a person onto the subway tracks in Brooklyn who was walking on the platform
- 62-year-old man is hit in the face and falls on the Bronx subway tracks in a random attack
- Teenager was stabbed on a New York train in another violent attack on the subway
