Stupid underage drunk.

how is it that people drop their shit right before the train pulls in?

Drunk people have terrible timing. It's so saddening to hear about these stupid tragic accidents.

MTA officials also say people often miscalculate how fast the train is coming, and at an average of 30 mph it's hard for operators to stop the train quickly. "In one instant the coast looks clear, and you think you can hop down, retrieve your item and hop back up. In reality, it’s not that simple,"

Aren't they exaggerating a little? A train coming into a station should be slowing down, not doing 30mph. I'm pretty sure that when I look impatiently down the tunnel, I can begin to see lights from the train a good 15 seconds before it enters the station.

That said, if you absolutely positively need to get on the tracks, you'd better have friends right at the edge of the platform ready to help haul you up the moment you're ready.

30 MPH is no exaggeration. Depending on the station's characteristics (incl. tracks, signals, grade, curvature, etc.), a train doesn't necessarily have to start slowing before the first car enters the station.

From what I've seen, an express train tops out around 35-40 mph between its stops. But as the front car enters the station (needing to clear 10 cars in before stopping), it's likely still going AT LEAST 20-25mph.

I agree that there is some exaggeration here but more with the fact that it takes 3 people to pull someone up. No one should ever jump on the tracks to retrieve an unanimate object. But if someone has fallen on the tracks and needs help its hard to just watch. I once saw a person fall on the tracks for the F train at kew gardens. he cracked his head badly on something down on the ground and was knocked out. Me and another guy jumped down to get this guy up(completely out of instinct). It was hard as hell to get a lifeless body up on the platform. But once he was up, I easily jumped up without anyones help. So I would disagree that its hard to get back up once you go down. After all these stories of deaths on the tracks I am just very thankful that my instincts didnt kill me on this one. I guess it depends on you height but for a 6ft man, it takes 5 seconds tops to get back up from the tracks.

A 4' ledge is high for us short folks. Most people can't reach down and pick up 100 pounds either.

"it took nearly three people to haul him out."

Two? Two and a half?

A shame he had to lose his life over a jacket.

...and he was just being chivalrous. This chick is now going to have to live with the fact that she caused this guy's death (I heard she jumped down first and he followed her).

...Wakes Up With Worst Hangover Ever

People are going to continue to be stupid no matter how often you see stories like this. The MTA should institute a steep fine for going on the tracks and post signs clearly stating it.

@1 Yes, probably.

I'm surprised it's only fatal 1/2 the time. I guess that statistic must include people who get clipped while standing on the platform.

I wonder if the third rail was on the side instead of the middle would people still jump the platform?

The third rail is on the platform side at some stations.

Even if alligators living in the recessed track area, people would still jump in to retrieve their shit. Being drunk doesn't help.

yes, nothing is worth going on the track for.

you can always get a new jacket but you can't get another you.