Subway Lawsuit: Man Says G Train Dragged Him

Photograph by bitchcakesny on Flickr

A man is suing the MTA over an April 2010 commute that left him with a broken arm—because he had to break it because his arm was stuck in a G train's doors and he was being dragged along the Classon Avenue station platform. Jonathan Lynn told the Daily News, "I didn't think it was real. \[I thought\] the door's going to open, he's going to stop, he's going to hear me. I bounced off one of the pillars, hit my head and that's the extent of my memory."

According to his lawsuit, Lynn, a 32-year-old web developer, ran to catch the train and the train's operator waved him on. Lynn was closest to the end of the train, and because the last set of doors was closed, he jogged to the next set, which closed on him; the Post reports, "the closing doors trapped his shoulder while the rest of his body was still on the platform... The train began to move, pulling him relentlessly toward the tunnel." His arm and messenger bag were stuck in the door, and he pounded on the doors and tried to free himself. Lynn said, "It was the wall approaching that gave me the final push to do anything I could to get out."

Lynn's lawyer said, "My client basically had to save his own life, and to do that he had to break his own arm." He was left with a compound fracture, "a gaping wound to his left arm as well as a head injury." As for Lynn's current subway habits, "I wait until it's wide open and dive in."

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By Jen Chung in News on May 31, 2011 7:39 AM

Comments [rss]

arealnyer

if you believe this story i have a bridge for sale with a great view of brooklyn if anybody's interested. With someone's arm stuck inbetween the doors none of these train in the entire transit system will move don't wanna encourage nobody but next time on the g or any train while on the train stick your paper in the closing doors and see how fast the conducter yells get out of the doors. i ride the train way too much and i see people hold the train for other people all the time just by sticking their hand in the door just another person trying to get some of our tax dollars by suing there's always a chance of a malfunction but very unlikely

Eric MH

No way this story is true, we all know the G never actually shows up to capture anyone in its doors.

Guest

He's lucky he wasn't rolled by the other passengers as he lay unconscious or eaten by rats.

Jibreel K Riley

I should sue also, the G Train dragged me to Willamsburgh for $7 PBR's ugh!

ronshapley

Meanwhile, back in NYC.........sorry schmeep !!

Brendon Clark

I was in Classon earlier today. It is physically impossible for him to hit every pillar, he would have had to have reached out for each one to smack it with his hand, and that's considering his arm was caught in the door bellow the elbow and at least 6 feet tall. Total bullshit.

nice job

The Post article, which you clearly neglected to read, states that when the man finally yanked himself form the doors, he flew through the air and into a pillar and not that he knocked against each one like a three-stooges comedy routine.

edgie168

"not that he knocked against each one like a three-stooges comedy routine."

i think we'd all pay money to see that

HJaySimpson

The G train has got to be the stumpiest train of them all....
Running is part of the G train commute, because all the G train commuters know that if you miss the G train, you might as well walk to work...

dnlprz

i swear i've seen the person who's usually on bathroom signs in a picture warning not to try to cram your way into a train about to leave.

assumption of risk

Steven Jones

Heya! I
am a South African blogger about to visit New York City in June 2011. I would really value meeting NYC Bloggers on
my visit, and experiencing the legendary hospitality that I have heard so much
about. I may be contacted on my email stevenjonesltd@gmail.com Hope to hear from you soon!

Guest

...and i have a personal check, which i'll send it to you and all you need to do is to take half the amount written on the check the same day! the other half is for your tour money. WHAT A DEAL!

--reverse scam

schmeep

Do you have a Barrister who can give me good faith account information?

Bob Moses

for a web developer this guy is a bad ass.

randomtransplant

Is there any possible story involving a defendant gothamist commentators don't think is "fishy"?

Ever?

Its as predictable as the G is unreliable.

LtWorf

There's always two sides to a story so I wouldn't put all my money on one party.

randomtransplant

But you generally do pick sides.

You choose whomever was wronged the least and defend them. You favor inaction and question attempts at justice.

colonelcasey

Usually if the doors can't properly close (like if there's a limb stuck), the train won't be able to start. Also, it's kind of hard to believe the entire first car would have its doors closed. There's something fishy about this story.

Guest

i actually see your point. the old Redbirds didn't have this deactivation mechanism, but with every current one what you're saying is true.

i remember a long time ago when some kid's book-bag got stuck by the doors on a Redbird train, and he was running sideways and shrieking for about 10 feet before he finally decided to let his book-bag go -- i'd never forget the look on his face.