The power outage left two F Line trains stranded, trapping them underground for hours and forcing them to flee through subway tunnels and emergency exits, making the journey home a nightmare for thousands of New Yorkers.
According to the MTA, a power outage occurred between the Jay Street/Metrotech and Hoyt-Schermerhorn stations around 5:30 p.m., and about 3,500 straphangers spread between both trains were destroyed by firefighters. had to be rescued by
The two F trains were between stations and unable to move without power, leaving commuters stranded in the tunnel without air conditioning for more than two hours until FDNY officials arrived.
Trapped passengers were eventually removed from the stalled train by firefighters and entered a dark subway tunnel that led to a trapdoor in the middle of a Brooklyn sidewalk, according to photos of the carnage shared on social media. I went up the stairs.
“We were stuck on the F train in rush hour with no air conditioning and no electricity for the last 70 minutes until the FDNY rescued us through the damn maintenance tunnel at Smith and Atlantic,” said one evacuated passenger. tweeted Alongside photos of people climbing steep, graffiti-covered stairs.
Another straphanger complained that the whole experience was a “show,” but praised the MTA staff and firefighters who helped New Yorkers through the hellish journey.
“It was a really grueling commute, and after being stuck on the F train for two hours, I walked through the subway tracks and stairs and out the emergency exit and onto the street.” Jennifer Young said in X. “It's a perfect show, but I have to give credit to the FDNY and the MTA staff on the train for getting us through!”
All passengers on both trains and MTA employees were evacuated by 8:20 p.m., according to the MTA and FDNY.
Fire officials said four people suffered minor injuries, three of whom refused medical treatment and one was taken to NYU Langone Cobble Hill.
New York City Transit Authority President Demetrius Crichlow said in a statement: “Hundreds of transit workers, firefighters, and New York City transit workers worked quickly to provide assistance to passengers on two trains stranded between stations due to the Con Ed power outage. I would like to thank the city police officers and responders from other agencies.”
“Fortunately, the evacuation was orderly and there appear to be no serious injuries.”
One passenger on the trapped F train said he witnessed a range of emotions from his fellow commuters as they sat hostage on the subway without air conditioning for more than two hours.
“In some ways, some people felt a sense of loss,” says Anders Nelson, 42. told Gothamist.
Some people were reportedly forced to relieve themselves between vehicles.
But others bonded over their common misfortunes, sharing water and food.
“People were handing out cookies. It became a bit of a community thing,” he told the publication.
Three other subway trains were briefly stuck in the tunnel during the power outage, but all three were able to retreat to stations that had electricity, transportation officials said.
The outage caused delays, disruptions and alternate routes along the A, C, F and G lines and lasted throughout the night.
Con Edison was working to restore power well before Thursday morning's commute, and the MTA is working with the utility to determine the cause of the disruption.
“New York City Transit will work with Con Ed to understand how a limited outage of redundant systems could cause significant disruption to service,” Crichlow said.
