NEW YORK — A 13-year-old boy died while subway surfing in Queens on Wednesday.
Police say Adolfo Samabria’s body was found at the Forest Avenue station around 10 p.m.
According to the NYPD, it’s the fifth subway surfing death in New York City so far this year . The MTA has made an assertive push to run public service announcements online and in subway stations in an effort to stop the deadly trend.
The New York City Transit president released a statement saying, “This is another heartbreaking situation where a child tragically mistook riding outside subway cars for some kind of joyride. I implore anyone who thinks surfing trains is a game—and parents, friends and teachers who can persuade them otherwise—to understand the deadly risk and ride inside.”
A grief counselor will be provided at Adolfo’s school, and a Safe Streets and Safe Schools forum is being held on Saturday to share safety resources.
In a statement, Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said in part, “We often say we want the community to wrap its arms around our schools, and that is most important in moments like these. When one school loses a student, it impacts the entire city.”