College friends, both 24, killed after seeming not to realize NYC subway was barreling toward them: reports

Two college friends, fatally struck by a New York City subway train while sitting on the tracks, appeared not to realize it was about to hit them, according to reports.

The young man, 24, was on the tracks at the Spring Street subway station in downtown Manhattan just after 3 a.m. Sunday, when his female friend, 24, appeared to try to help him, police sources told The New York Post.

She seemed to try to pull him toward her before they were hit by an oncoming No. 4 train, the sources said.

It was not immediately clear if the young man fell onto the tracks or got down onto them.

Horrifying video shared on social media showed the pair sitting on the tracks moments before the train hit them. The train operator tried to use the emergency brake but it was too late, amNewYork reported.

When emergency services arrived at the scene, they found the pair underneath the train. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Independent has contacted the New York Police Department for more information.

Investigators told The Post they are probing whether the pair were so intoxicated that they didn’t know what was happening at the time of the fatal crash.

No suicide notes were found but it has not been ruled out as a motive, the sources said.

The pair were longtime friends, per the Post. Both graduated from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 2024, according to their LinkedIn accounts.

As the train approached the pair, its operator “saw a man and woman sitting on the track,” according to an incident report obtained by The New York Daily News.

The train operator told her supervisors that “the woman was laughing and pulling the male towards her when the train came into contact,” according to the report.

Approximately 100 passengers were evacuated from the train after the collision, according to the Daily News.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI) or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you