Brooklyn, New York — A heart-wrenching tragedy has left a Brooklyn neighborhood in mourning after two young girls, just 12 and 13 years old, lost their lives in a subway surfing accident late Friday night. The incident, which occurred on the Manhattan-bound J train near the Broadway Junction station, has reignited growing concerns about the dangerous social media trend that continues to claim young lives across New York City.
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the two girls were attempting to surf on top of the moving train when they lost their balance and fell, suffering fatal injuries. The tragedy has devastated their families and sent shockwaves through the community, prompting calls for renewed awareness and action to prevent similar incidents.
The Tragic Incident
Authorities say the fatal event unfolded around 10:45 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025, as a group of youths were reportedly seen climbing onto the roof of a J train car departing the Crescent Street station. Witnesses described the horrifying moment when the two girls, later identified as 12-year-old Ariana Morales and 13-year-old Kayla Thompson, slipped and were struck by overhead structures as the train sped toward Broadway Junction.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene after a 911 call reported two individuals on the tracks. Both girls were pronounced dead at the scene despite immediate rescue efforts. A third youth, believed to have been part of the same group, managed to avoid injury and fled the area before later turning himself in to police for questioning.
Investigators believe the girls were attempting to record videos for social media platforms, following a dangerous “subway surfing” challenge that has surged in popularity among teenagers over the past two years.
“It’s an unimaginable loss,” said Deputy Chief Jason Wilcox of the NYPD Transit Bureau. “These were children — kids with their whole lives ahead of them. What began as a moment of thrill-seeking ended in tragedy.”
Families Grieve the Unthinkable
For the families of Ariana and Kayla, the tragedy has left an indescribable void. Both girls were described as bright, curious, and full of life — best friends who loved dancing, school, and spending time together in their East New York neighborhood.
Ariana’s mother, Melissa Morales, spoke tearfully outside their apartment complex on Sunday:
“My baby was only 12 years old. She didn’t deserve this. She was just a kid who loved making videos and laughing with her friends. I never thought it would lead to something like this.”
Kayla’s father, Robert Thompson, echoed that heartbreak, saying his daughter was “a shining light” who dreamed of becoming a veterinarian.
“She was so full of energy and love. I can’t believe she’s gone,” he said, holding back tears. “No parent should ever have to bury their child.”
Family members and friends have gathered daily at a growing memorial near the train station — leaving flowers, candles, balloons, and handwritten notes reading, “Fly high, our angels.”
Community in Mourning
The tragic deaths of Ariana and Kayla have deeply affected the East New York community. Local leaders, teachers, and neighbors have come together to offer counseling and support for grieving classmates and families.
At P.S. 214, where both girls had attended school, grief counselors were made available as students tried to process the shocking loss. Principal Janet Rodriguez described them as “bright young girls who were loved by everyone.”
“This tragedy has shaken our entire school family,” Rodriguez said. “We are doing everything we can to help our students heal and to remind them how dangerous this behavior is.”
On Sunday evening, hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil near the Broadway Junction station, holding pictures of the girls and releasing white balloons into the night sky. Tears mixed with anger as community members demanded action from city officials and social media platforms to address the rise in risky viral challenges.
“These girls should be at school right now, laughing and living their dreams,” said Councilmember Amanda Farías, who attended the vigil. “Instead, we’re mourning two more young lives lost to an online trend that glorifies danger.”
Subway Surfing: A Growing Danger
The MTA has repeatedly warned about the life-threatening risks of subway surfing — a reckless act that involves climbing onto the exterior of moving trains. Despite multiple awareness campaigns, incidents have increased dramatically, particularly among teenagers.
According to MTA data, over 200 subway surfing incidents were reported in 2024 alone — a staggering 60% increase from the previous year. Several resulted in serious injuries or deaths, including the widely reported death of a 15-year-old boy in Queens earlier this year.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber called the Brooklyn tragedy “utterly heartbreaking” and urged parents, educators, and tech companies to step up.
“No video, no social media post is worth a life,” Lieber said. “We’re working closely with the NYPD and schools to educate kids before more families have to go through this pain.”
Transit officials have since announced that they will be expanding safety patrols and launching a renewed “Ride Inside, Stay Alive” campaign aimed at middle and high school students.
The Role of Social Media
Experts say social media platforms bear a growing share of responsibility for the rise in dangerous stunts among youth. Viral videos showcasing train surfing and other high-risk acts have spread rapidly across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, often garnering millions of views before being taken down.
“Children are especially vulnerable to these trends because they crave attention and peer validation,” said Dr. Simone Davis, a child psychologist at NYU Langone. “When you combine that with the thrill of danger, it becomes a deadly mix. We need better digital education and faster moderation from these platforms.”
In the aftermath of the tragedy, advocates have renewed calls for age restrictions and stronger content moderation to curb harmful viral challenges that target young audiences.
Honoring Ariana and Kayla’s Memory
Friends and family say they want Ariana and Kayla to be remembered not for the way they died, but for the joy they brought into the world. Both girls were known for their laughter, their creativity, and their deep friendship that seemed unbreakable.
A joint GoFundMe page has been created to support funeral expenses for both families, with community members rallying around the message: “They were taken far too soon.”
“They were inseparable — like sisters,” said family friend Angela Perez, who helped organize the fundraiser. “They had big dreams, and now we’re left to make sure other kids don’t make the same mistake.”
Local leaders have also proposed naming a nearby playground or mural in their honor, as a lasting reminder of their lives and a warning to others about the dangers of subway surfing.
A Community’s Plea for Change
As Brooklyn mourns two lives lost far too soon, grief has turned into a collective plea for awareness and prevention. Parents are being urged to speak openly with their children about peer pressure, online trends, and the real-world consequences of risky behavior.
“We can’t bring Ariana and Kayla back,” said Reverend Lisa Andrews at Sunday’s vigil, “but we can fight to make sure no other family stands here mourning a child because of a viral video. Their deaths must mean something — they must spark change.”
In Memory
Two best friends, Ariana Morales (12) and Kayla Thompson (13), are gone — victims of a trend that should never have claimed their lives. They leave behind grieving families, classmates, and a community forever changed by their loss.
As candles flickered beneath the rumbling elevated tracks where the tragedy occurred, one message written in chalk stood out among the memorial tributes:
“Ride Inside, Live Long — For Ariana and Kayla.”
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