15-year-old boy's arm severed by R train while trying to subway surf in Queens

CBS NEWS ^ | August 29, 2022 | Christina Fan

[Morgana]

NEW YORK -- A 15-year-old boy lost his arm when he and friends were reportedly trying to subway surf on Monday in Queens.

MTA officials have been warning younger passengers against the risky trend of subway surfing, which is gaining popularity on social media, CBS2's Christina Fan reported.

The blood-stained platform at the Roosevelt Avenue-Jackson Heights station was a gruesome reminder of the dangerous consequences.

"They just don't understand the meaning of life. That's what the problem is with a lot of these young people who are doing this kind of moronic, ridiculous thing," said Everett Jennings, of Rego Park.

According to police, the 15-year-old and three friends were trying to subway surf just before 10:30 a.m. The boy was walking between train cars when he lost his balance and fell to the tracks. His left arm was severed by a moving R train.

The accident delayed service on multiple lines while paramedics worked to get him to Bellevue Hospital. He was reported to be in stable condition.

"A lot of people are being more daredevil. I don't get it, but what can we do?" one person said.

"When you're a younger person, you don't have limits, even for a dangerous situation," commuter Jorge Seans told CBS2's Ali Bauman.

Data obtained by CBS2 shows there have been 627 incidents of people riding outside of trains in the subway system so far this year. That's up drastically from 96 incidents during the same period last year, 116 in 2020, and less than 300 incidents in 2019.

[hillarys cankles]

guess we know who won’t be starting any rounds of applause

[Honest Nigerian]

I wonder what tattoos the kid had on that arm that got chopped off.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Some things never change. I remember reading this Popular Science article in November 1962 when I was 11 years old and being so impressed with the surgery to reattach an arm. Everett Knowles was 12 years old when this happened. It taught me all I needed to know about "surfing" on trains. The amazing surgery was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Full story is on page 71 of The Boy Who Lost His Arm -- and Got It Back.

A Wired Magazine update in 2011: "A year after the surgery Knowles' arm and fingers were sensitive to heat, cold and touch, and he could move his fingers and bend his wrist. He could also play first base – but only with his one good hand. The year after that, he was playing tennis and baseball. After four years of recovery, Knowles had the same use of his right arm and hand as a natural lefty. He eventually drove a six-wheel truck and lifted sides of beef at his job."

[Chode]

lets all hope it was a learning experience...

[TomGuy]

"A lot of people are being more daredevil. I don't get it, but what can we do?" one person said.

Some even survive into adulthood. Many don't.

One would surmise it cleans out the gene pool, but another bunch of idiots come along in the next generation.

[dfwgator]

Tis but a scratch!

[metmom]

Is this another one or the same one from a week or so ago?

[Cobra64]

Sooo… how does one subway surf?

[Thunder90]

Soon kids in Chiraq will be surfing the “L” trains.

[Inyo-Mono]

I well remember that story from 1962! I was 12 at the time.

[wastedyears]

Who’s doing it?

Questions that require answers.

[Angelino97]

So a future award is still in the cards.

15 is still young for an Olympian. In four years time he might walk away with a gold medal. (Well, buried with his gold medal, I suppose.)

[beaversmom]

Vid of some train “surfing”:

https://youtu.be/_P7gV49ljLY

[ProtectOurFreedom]

You believe we remember that from SIXTY years ago!?

[from occupied ga]

The dumbass is strong in this one.

[doorgunner69]

Darwin award time?

[RedMonqey]

I guess that could falling the guidelines as I understand them

(Ouch, lobsters in the pants, hurts just imagine that!)

[LibWhacker]

When I was that age, I used to ride that subway everyday from Queens to Manhattan and back again INSIDE the car. Never dreamed of surfing on top. Guess we were real wusses. All I’ve gotta say is, thank God for wussihood!

[Olog-hai]

FWICS, the criteria specify removal from the gene pool (either by death or sterilization), the incident must involve a remarkable loss of judgment, and anything involving a train does not qualify due to being too common.

[period end of story]

I messed with trains as a youngster even
though it was dangerous i.e., fun.

Being a kid, and stupid goes together like
truckers and hookers. ( grown-up and stupid)