Woman, 74, is crushed to death by a subway train in Times Square after ‘falling while walking between cars’ at 3.30am
- A 74-year-old woman died at Times Square station Monday at 3.30am
- It’s reported she may have fallen while walking between subway train cars
- The N train was pulling into 49th Street station when the incident occurred
- The woman from East Flatbush, Brooklyn is unidentified until family is notified
An elderly woman has died after being crushed by a New York subway train in the early hours of Monday morning.
The 74-year-old – whose identity had not been made public – was killed at the scene around Times Square in Manhattan.
The MTA’s N train was pulling into 49th Street station when the woman was fatally injured.
A 74-year-old woman died at Times Square station Monday 3.30am. It’s reported she may have fallen while walking between subway train cars
Authorities say she may have been walking between cars when the incident occurred around 3.30am.
It’s believed the victim was crushed after falling from the Queens-bound vehicle, the New York Daily News reports.
Police have not revealed the name of the woman who died, pending the notification of her next of kin.
However it has been made public that the victim resided in Flatbush, Brooklyn.
As a result of the incident Northbound N and Q trains were bypassing 49 St while emergency teams responded ‘to someone who was struck by a train at that station’, New York City Transit announced.
NYCT warned travelers to expect delays in both directions as routes ran on alternative tracks and a shuttle was provided in the Queens borough.
Significant delays are caused because power needs to be cut from the tracks as first responders work and investigation and recovery takes places.
It often results in crowding on platforms.
The N train was pulling into 49th Street station when the incident occurred. The woman from East Flatbush, Brooklyn is unidentified until family is notified
MTA NYC Transit officials regularly warn customers of the dangers of walking or riding between subway cars, using in-car signage which notes that the act is prohibited.
A public service announcement campaign started a year ago and continues to be in development after seven people died while walking or riding between subway cars in 2018, including four people in December alone. Five people died during such activity in 2017, and another five in 2016.
Digital displays in stations in the past have states: ‘3 people have died this month walking between moving subway cars. Don’t take the risk. Please ride safely.’
An audio announcement in subway cars tells passengers: ‘Hello everyone. It’s against the rules and very dangerous to ride or walk between train cars, unless it’s an emergency, or if you’re directed by a police officer or MTA crew member. Have a safe day, and thank you for riding with us.’
‘Riding or walking between subway cars without supervision is dangerous and can cost a person their life,’ NYC Transit President Andy Byford said in a statement in 2019. ‘It’s not worth it and we’re urging our customers not to do it.’
As a result of the incident Northbound N and Q trains were bypassing 49 St while emergency teams responded ‘to someone who was struck by a train at that station’, New York City Transit announced