'Subway Surfing' Riding on Top of the Subway
6 Deaths in New York This Year Alone
Among American teenagers, the so-called 'Subway Surfing,' which involves running on top of moving subway trains, has become popular, leading to a series of fatal accidents.
On the 3rd (local time), CNN and others reported, citing the New York Police Department's announcement, that six people have died from subway surfing since early this year until the 27th of last month, and 181 related arrests have been made. Subway surfing is the act of climbing onto a moving train and performing stunts as if surfing, and it has recently gained great popularity among American youths.
On the 27th of last month in Queens, New York, a 13-year-old girl jumped onto a subway train, lost her balance, fell between the cars, and died at the scene. A 12-year-old girl who participated in subway surfing with her suffered a severe brain hemorrhage. Just four days earlier, on the 23rd, a 13-year-old boy who was subway surfing was found dead near Forest Avenue Station. The boy’s mother, after seeing videos of her son subway surfing posted on social networking services (SNS), lamented, "I warned him not to get on the subway anymore, but he did not listen."
Subway surfing has been practiced among teenagers for several years, but it has recently gained renewed attention through TikTok challenges, reportedly increasing the number of youths imitating it. Some teenagers film their subway surfing and post it on social media platforms like TikTok, gaining many views and 'likes,' which encourages others to join the trend or attempt even more dangerous acts. Experts point out that teenagers’ imitation behavior to attract attention is fueling dangerous challenges.
As accidents continue due to teenagers’ risky behavior, the New York Police Department launched a 'Subway Surfing Prevention Campaign' stating, "This dangerous behavior leads to life-changing consequences. It is not worth the pain it brings to your life or your family and friends." Additionally, the New York City Transit Authority has collaborated with SNS platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to remove over 10,000 posts related to subway surfing photos and videos. It is also known that special patrol units are deployed during after-school hours.
Meanwhile, attorneys general from 14 states across the U.S. have reportedly sued TikTok, holding the platform responsible for the spread of dangerous challenges. The lawsuit claims that TikTok challenges may encourage risky behavior among young users.
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