An Indian-origin woman and her Nepali-American friend, both 24, were killed after a subway train struck them while they were sitting on the tracks at a station in Lower Manhattan, according to reports citing the New York Police Department (NYPD).
The incident took place at the Spring Street subway station in the early hours of the morning. The victims were identified as Malaika Chitre, from Dayton, New Jersey, and Navam Kaul, from Sayreville, New Jersey.
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According to the NYPD, the two women were on the roadbed when they were hit by a southbound No. 4 train at around 3:15 am. The circumstances that led them onto the tracks remain a key part of the investigation.
A video recorded by a bystander and later circulated widely on social media appeared to show the two women sitting on the subway tracks shortly before the train arrived. The footage has drawn attention online because it seemingly captures the moments before the fatal collision.
The train operator reportedly told supervisors that Chitre appeared to be laughing as she pulled Kaul towards her while the two were sitting on the tracks, according to sources cited in the report.
The incident has highlighted the dangers of entering or remaining on active subway tracks, where approaching trains can leave passengers with little or no time to move to safety.
The two women were reportedly at the Lower Manhattan station during the early morning hours when the incident occurred. Emergency and police personnel responded following the collision, but both victims died after being struck by the train.
The incident has since gained widespread attention after footage from the station began circulating on social media. However, the video only shows part of what happened and does not by itself establish why the two women were on the tracks or what happened immediately before the train approached.
Authorities are expected to examine available surveillance footage, witness accounts and other evidence as part of the investigation into the deaths.
The incident has also renewed concerns over passenger safety around subway tracks. New York’s subway system operates around the clock, with trains continuing to run during overnight hours. Being on the roadbed can be extremely dangerous because trains may approach quickly and cannot stop immediately even when an operator sees someone on the tracks.
The deaths of Chitre and Kaul have prompted shock among people familiar with the victims, while the circumstances surrounding the incident continue to be examined.
According to the report, both women were 24 years old. Chitre was from Dayton, New Jersey, while Kaul was from Sayreville, New Jersey.
The fatal incident occurred at a Lower Manhattan station and involved a No. 4 train travelling southbound. The NYPD is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
