NYPD confirms teen survived fall from moving J train in Brooklyn

A 14-year-old boy survived falling from the top of a moving train in Brooklyn on Monday afternoon.

Police received a 911 call around 3:41 p.m. reporting that a teenager fell from a Queens-bound express train on the elevated J, M, and Z line. The incident occurred as the train passed through the Hewes Street station in Williamsburg. The boy landed on the center-running track within the jurisdiction of the 90th Precinct and Transit District 33.

The J, M, and Z line is a popular route for subway surfing, a practice involving riding on top of moving trains. The line is largely elevated and outdoor, which makes it easier for riders to climb onto the roof. The open space also provides a clear backdrop for social media videos that have popularized the trend in recent years. The 7 train is another line where this activity is common.

To address injuries among young people, the former administration of Mayor Eric Adams and the MTA launched a public service campaign in 2023. The initiative, titled “Subway Surfing Kills, Ride Inside, Stay Alive,” uses teenagers to warn their peers about the risks. The NYPD has also used drones to locate surfers and remove them from train roofs. Officers have made more than 200 arrests related to the practice since starting the crackdown in 2023.

Emergency services transported the injured boy across the East River to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan. He is currently in stable condition. The MTA press office directed media inquiries to the NYPD for details.

The NYPD is continuing its investigation into the incident. No arrests have been made as of Monday afternoon. The department has not identified the teen.