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Boy killed while 'surfing' on roof of moving subway train in Manhattan
Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^
| 10.21.03
Posted on 10/21/2003 9:53:06 AM PDT by mhking
NEW YORK -- A 14-year-old boy who was "surfing" on the roof of a subway train was killed when his head struck an overhead beam and he fell to the tracks.
Eric Alvarez of Harlem was found dead on the tracks between two stations in lower Manhattan at about 4:45 p.m. Monday, said Detective Carolyn Chew.
While Alvarez was riding home from school, his friends dared him to climb to the top of the train, a practice known as "subway surfing," said Marisa Balde, a spokeswoman for New York City Transit.
He apparently had climbed the rear of a car and had reached the top when his head struck a steel beam in the ceiling of the subway tunnel, Balde said.
Another train ran over the tracks where Alvarez had fallen. Initially, it appeared that the second train killed him, but investigations showed that he probably died of head injuries and the impact of his fall, Balde said.
Alvarez was described as a computer whiz.
He "was extremely smart, too smart for that happened to him," an aunt, Haydee Alvarez, told the New York Post.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS: darwinatwork; darwinawards; death; holdmuhbeer; holdmuhsurfboard; justdamn; splat; whatawaytogo
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To: mhking
Darwin smiles...
21
posted on
10/21/2003 10:21:13 AM PDT
by
King Prout
(...he took a face from the ancient gallery, then he... walked on down the hall....)
To: mhking
Reminds me of "The Painted Bird," by Jerzy Kosinski, in which post-WWII European kids would lie between the rails, letting locomotives pass over them.
To: dagar
To: mhking
How many of us guys here have done really stooopid things and just got lucky: running through subway tunnels,jumping from rooftop to rooftop, racing on public streets, backyard dirtbike stunts and so on..
24
posted on
10/21/2003 10:29:45 AM PDT
by
ffusco
(Maecilius Fuscus,Governor of Longovicium , Manchester, England. 238-244 AD)
To: mhking
Mrs. Alvarez has asked Mr. Clinton's office to suggest some lawyers to represent her in the wrongful death suit against the city, the maker of the subway cars, and the firm that dug the tunnel.
Rev. Sharpton has already indicated that he will not get involved in this terrible tragedy because, "Well, the kid wasn't black."
25
posted on
10/21/2003 10:51:35 AM PDT
by
Tacis
To: ffusco
I would surf on a train, but not a subway!
To: mhking
Teen Wolf???
27
posted on
10/21/2003 10:58:59 AM PDT
by
Dan from Michigan
("I don't want to Raise Taxes" "I think everything must be looked at" - Jennifer Granholm. (D))
To: mhking
A 14-year-old boy who was "surfing" on the roof of a subway train was killed when his head struck an overhead beam and he fell to the tracks.Mr. Computer Whiz never saw "Speed," I reckon.
To: stainlessbanner
As long as it's a diesel!
29
posted on
10/21/2003 10:59:06 AM PDT
by
ffusco
(Maecilius Fuscus,Governor of Longovicium , Manchester, England. 238-244 AD)
To: mhking
New York Again! What did Hillary Rotten know about the Steel Bars in Subways that inflict great pain in children, and why does she allow them to remain there? Is this yet another one of her ways to keep the U.S. population under control? (Hmmm, I can put nothing ((NOTHING!!!)) past her wretchedness you know.)
30
posted on
10/21/2003 11:19:06 AM PDT
by
Pagey
(Hillary Rotten is a Smug, Holier - Than - Thou Socialist)
To: mhking
I think most adults alive today are in fact alive simply because we were lucky at 14.
Prayers to his family.
31
posted on
10/21/2003 11:20:50 AM PDT
by
Tamzee
(...This tagline has been tested on animals.)
To: mhking
I have seen a lot of smart people who have no common sense. Poor kid. Reminds me of an episode of Six Feet Under.
32
posted on
10/21/2003 11:23:33 AM PDT
by
Rainmist
To: capt. norm
"Even the cartoons the kids watch show the danger of riding on top of a train. Yosemite Sam and Elmer Fudd know better (now) than to do that."
That's right.
I've seen Yosemite Sam get clobbered numerous times at the entrance to those subway tunnels and mountain passes, and STILL he never learned, did he?
To: mhking
Darwin winner?
34
posted on
10/21/2003 11:42:48 AM PDT
by
b4its2late
(I get enough exercise just pushing my luck. This kid pushed it too far.)
To: mhking
Sounds like another "Jackass" stunt gone bad.
Gravity - it's the law.
35
posted on
10/21/2003 11:45:45 AM PDT
by
Johnny Gage
(Instead of getting married again, I'm going to find a woman I don't like and give her a house.)
To: mhking
bonk
36
posted on
10/21/2003 11:47:09 AM PDT
by
RichInOC
("Low bridge, ev'rybody down, low bridge, 'cause we're coming to a town...")
To: NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
I'm don't think that they give Darwin awards to kids.
To: capt. norm
38
posted on
10/21/2003 11:53:21 AM PDT
by
Hatteras
(Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps...)
To: Xenalyte
I'm evil and hellbound and all . . . which is why I laughed at this story. Glad I wasn't the only one.
To: Growler
Some chlorine has just been added to the gene pool...
40
posted on
10/21/2003 11:56:14 AM PDT
by
Born Conservative
("Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names" - John F. Kennedy)
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