What Is the Deal with 'Likes'... Another Teenage Boy Surfing the Subway Dies in the US

Playing Stunts on a Moving Subway
Inspired by Mobile Game 'Subway Surfers'
Taking More Dangerous Actions for 'Likes'

As the so-called 'Subway Surfing' craze, where people run on top of moving subways, spreads in the United States, another accident occurred in which a 14-year-old boy died after falling onto the tracks while subway surfing.

Another incident occurred where a person died after falling from a train while performing stunts like surfing on top of a subway running in New York, USA. The photo is not directly related to the content of the article. [Image source=Capture from X (formerly Twitter)]

On the 14th (local time), The New York Times (NYT) and others reported that Alarom Reyes (14), who was subway surfing near the Brooklyn Avenue N station around 2:30 p.m. on the 12th, died in the accident. Police stated that Reyes climbed onto the top of a train to subway surf, a trend among teenagers, and fell down, resulting in his death.

Recently, deaths caused by subway surfing have been increasing in the U.S. This activity, inspired by the mobile game 'Subway Surfers,' involves climbing onto a moving train and performing stunts as if surfing.

Some teenagers gain many views and 'likes' through subway surfing, encouraging others to join the trend. They also film their subway surfing and upload the videos to social media platforms like TikTok to increase views and receive more 'likes,' leading them to take even more dangerous actions. However, since this behavior involves climbing on the exterior or top of moving trains, accidents often result in serious injuries or death.

According to statistics from the New York City transportation authorities, the number of accidents involving riding on the outside of trains, including subway surfing, surged more than fourfold from 206 cases in 2021 to 928 cases in 2022. Furthermore, there were 450 reports of subway surfing incidents in the first half of 2023 alone. It was reported that at least five people died from subway surfing in 2023, including a 14-year-old boy who died after hitting a structure above the tracks while attempting subway surfing in June.

For these reasons, New York City is implementing various measures to prevent teenagers from subway surfing. Notably, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is cooperating with YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms to block or remove photos and videos related to subway surfing, and is conducting warning broadcasts and campaigns. Special patrol units are also deployed during after-school hours.

Richard Davey, President of MTA New York City Transit, emphasized, "Another tragic and heartbreaking incident has occurred. Subway surfing is a deadly game that kills people, and such incidents must never happen again."

Meanwhile, this is not the first time that dangerous 'challenge' videos have gone viral on TikTok. In April last year, a challenge video involving the mass consumption of hallucinogenic drugs went viral, resulting in the death of a 13-year-old boy. In September, a teenage boy died after participating in the 'One Chip Challenge,' which involves eating a spicy snack and refraining from drinking any liquids for a certain period. Other controversial challenges that have gained popularity include the 'Blackout Challenge,' where participants choke themselves until they pass out; the 'Skull Breaker Challenge,' where two people simultaneously kick a third person's calves to make them fall; and challenges involving the theft of Hyundai and Kia vehicles.