Photo by Courtney Farrell.
A 21-year-old man was hit and killed by a downtown 3 train on Monday shortly before noon, according to an NYPD spokesman. The spokesman said the man had committed suicide.
The incident drew a massive emergency response and caused 2 and 3 trains to run local between 42nd and 96th streets, while bypassing the 72nd street stop.
Closing of the 72nd Street 123 train station today at 11:30-12:00PM. Firemen with stretcher looking down between cars of train. Oh no.
— robbon1956 (@robbon1956) March 24, 2014
I was waiting for the # 1 train to stop at 72nd St. so I could change for the express. I was standing at the door. Before it could open, I saw him jump in front of the oncoming express. I was helpless. It was one of the most horrible things I had ever seen. I sobbed for the rest of the day. How lost and alone he must have been.
Do you know what he looked like?
Again Sheldon what did he look like?? please describe him..
thank you for sharing this experience, Sheldon. it’s hard for me to imagine witnessing something like that. all the best to you.
I was on the next express to pass through the station. I’m sorry u had to witness such a tragedy. Having dealt w/ PTSD from something similar I highly reccomend EFT (tapping) for anyone w/PTSD an amazing technique – many examples r on “You Tube”
I’m so sorry you had to see that.
I remember a suicide there about seven years ago.
May his family find comfort in their time of sorrow, and may all witnesses to the tragedy be able to cope with what they saw.
I came into the station about 12:30 heading downtown, before they had removed the body, so I was directed by police to take the uptown to get back to a downtown train. Luckily from where I was standing on the uptown side I couldn’t see anything, but knowing what was there and what had just happened, made me so sad. Sheldon I’m so sorry you had to witness that. And I’m so sorry for that young man and whatever brought him to such a desperate place. I pray his family finds peace and comfort.
I was on the train, on the actual car that the body was under yesterday. it was so awful, so frightening and sad…but I question how they knew it was a suicide? the body was put under a tarp, and a policewoman was asking all of us, “did anyone see anything? did anyone see anything?” and no -one responded. I know 2 hearts ago 2 people died the same day at that station. it is so very narrow, and dangerous, very dangerous…was it definitely a suicide and not an accident?
Lisa, if you look at the first comment in this post that answers the question. Someone on the 1 train pulling into the station at the time saw him jump. So tragic.
As anybody who has been touched by a suicide in his family knows, It’s terrible — the effects travel far beyond the immediate victim. I feel for him, and his family.
Has the victim been identified? Does anyone know his name?
I’m sorry anyone had to witness such an event. You all forget about the conductor. He’s the one who has to live with this too! It’s a stressful job in many ways.
well said, Bonnie.
@ Sheldon – What did the person who jumped look like? can you describe? White,Black??
I knew this poor soul who has passed and still cannot beleive he jumped. Please tell us what he looked like so we know you saw the same person – thanks.
Sheldon, I did not see the young man jump but I arrived at the scene a few moments after and I was the young woman with a stroller you spoke to first about what happened. I have since been disturbed by the fact that his death (and is was suicide because he left his bag and jacket neatly placed beside a pole close to the edge of the platform) has not been mentioned anywhere but on this blog. The citizens of this town should know this happened and maybe know a little about him; we all live in this town together. I saw the man’s body crumpled under the train when I crossed over to interrupt my journey and take the uptown local train, and, to answer people’s questions, he looked young and judging by the color of his skin, assume he was African-American or Hispanic most likely. May he rest in peace.
I knew this person very well and he was a beautiful soul. I am so sorry to those that witnessed this he would have never wanted to burden you.
Was this an Indian?
read Jacoba’s message. It reads as ‘he was African-American or Hispanic most likely’.
Not Indian that means
Dear Jenne, I do not feel burdened one bit. I am sad am wish I had arrived earlier and maybe that alone would have changed things. Thank you for writing to us all.