NYPD, mother of subway surfing victim spread awareness about dangers 1 week after recent incident
It comes about a week after a 14-year-old boy was critically injured after he fell off of a moving train while subway surfing in Williamsburg.
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The NYPD and the mother of a subway surfing victim are urging parents and children to be aware of the dangers and put an end to subway surfing.
It comes about a week after a 14-year-old boy was critically injured after he fell off a moving train while subway surfing in Williamsburg.
“If he does make it, it's going to be catastrophic. And he was going to be debilitated for life. And these are tough things. Now you have a whole family affected," said NYPD's Chief of Transit Joseph Gullota.
Gullota says people who survive often face lost limbs and traumatic brain injuries. Norma Nazario's son Zachery died in 2023 after subway surfing in Williamsburg.
“I'm giving that advice to the parents to see what they're consuming. Because, like I said, I wish I did, and I found out too late," said Nazario.
Nazario says her son was exposed to subway surfing through TikTok. She now works with the NYPD to spread awareness about the issue. The NYPD says they have drone and specialized teams tackling the issue and are continuing to spread awareness about the dangers of subway surfing by working with schools.
Subway surfing statistics
Year | Deaths | Injuries |
|---|---|---|
2023 | 5 | 5 |
2024 | 7 | 9 |
2025 | 5 | 6 |
2026 (year-to-date) | 1 | 5 |
Data from NYPD
Nazario says every incident takes her back.
"You only have life to live, and you have your whole future ahead of you," said Nazario.
The NYPD encourages anyone who sees someone subway surfing to call 911.
