Two teenage girls were found dead atop a moving subway car in Brooklyn early Saturday in what authorities suspect was a fatal case of subway surfing, as ABC News 4 reports.

The girls were discovered on the roof of an incoming J train at Marcy Avenue station around 3 a.m., with police attributing their deaths to the high-risk trend of riding on the exterior of moving trains.

According to the New York City Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call shortly after 3 a.m., reporting unconscious individuals spotted on top of a train entering the Williamsburg-area station. Upon arrival, emergency responders found the two teens unresponsive. Tragically, both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The incident occurred on a train belonging to the J line, which runs across parts of Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Their bodies were taken down by authorities, and the area was secured for investigation. Shortly after, regular service at the Marcy Avenue station resumed operations later that morning.

Police have not yet released the identities or exact ages of the victims, citing the ongoing effort to notify next of kin. However, investigators believe the girls were engaging in subway surfing, a perilous activity that involves climbing atop or clinging to the outside of moving subway trains for a thrill or to share social media content.

Subway surfing's dangerous rise

Though subway surfing has existed for more than a century, law enforcement and transit officials say that the phenomenon has seen a deadly resurgence in recent years -- driven largely by viral videos shared across platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Young people, drawn in by the adrenaline and online attention, continue to risk their lives despite persistent public warnings.

Demetrius Crichlow, president of New York City Transit, expressed profound sadness and frustration over the deaths. “It’s heartbreaking that two young girls are gone because they somehow thought riding outside a subway train was an acceptable game,” he said.

In 2024 alone, at least six people lost their lives while attempting subway surfing, police said, compared to five deaths in all of 2023. Prior to that, from 2018 to 2022, five individuals were killed over that entire five-year span, highlighting a sharp and troubling increase in such incidents.

Recent fatalities highlight growing toll

Just a few months ago in August, three individuals lost their lives in three separate subway surfing-related incidents. Among them was a 15-year-old boy found dead atop a 7 train at Queensboro Plaza. That case, like others, sparked widespread calls for action from concerned officials and community leaders.

Efforts to combat the trend have included collaboration between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and various social media companies. Since 2023, Instagram and TikTok have been partners in flagging and taking down videos that appear to glorify or showcase subway surfing. Officials hope that slowing the content sharing may reduce teenagers’ temptation to imitate such behavior.

Additionally, the NYPD has begun deploying drones in and around subway lines to detect live instances of individuals attempting to subway surf. These efforts are still in early stages, but city agencies say the technology is another tool in what must be a broad, coordinated strategy.

Transit officials aim to curb incidents

MTA and city leaders have repeatedly stressed the dangers of subway surfing, especially as the victims have increasingly been minors. In many cases, young people underestimate the speed of the trains, the wind force, or the potential for sudden movement -- all of which can prove fatal.

Despite warnings and rising body counts, the trend has proven challenging to stamp out entirely. Subway cars are large, fast-moving, and often exposed, giving riders unhindered access to climb atop even in stations. The transit authority is now exploring physical deterrents, such as new equipment that would make roof access more difficult.

Transit authorities say their efforts will also include education campaigns in schools, targeting teens directly before they are drawn into social media challenges that could cost them their lives.

Lessons to learn

1. Social media risks real consequences: Though viral trends may appear harmless or entertaining, they may encourage unsafe behavior. Families should talk with young people about the dangers of copying stunts online for likes or followers.

2. Subway surfing is deadly, not daring: Trains move with extreme force, and riding outside them -- especially on the roof or sides -- is never safe. There is no safe way to attempt this, and one misstep can be fatal.

3. Vigilance and conversation are key: Parents, schools, and guardians must routinely discuss digital trends and personal safety with teens. Sharing stories like this one can make dangers more real before tragedy strikes. Still, it is crucial to remember that crime and injury can happen to anyone, and no one deserves blame for falling victim to unsafe trends.

Why this story matters

This incident shines a harsh light on a growing and deadly problem facing New York City youth. It also emphasizes the role that social media can play in spreading unsafe behavior, often with devastating results. The community must remain engaged and proactive in efforts to protect its most vulnerable members.

Subway safety impacts everyone who relies on mass transit -- parents, educators, officials, and everyday commuters. Each senseless death is a reminder of how quickly a thrill can turn into tragedy. Increased cooperation across platforms and public sectors is essential to putting an end to this trend.