On The Way: Man dragged by train shakes NYC subway riders
The horrific death of a man who was dragged by a train in Brooklyn on Monday evening is every subway rider’s worst nightmare.
The man, identified as 57-year-old Yaw Boahene, got caught on a subway car as he exited the A train at Utica Avenue during the evening rush. Police said Boahene was pulled against the platform by the 410-ton train. Boahene was “unsteady” and using a cane when he exited the train, according to transit officials.
Exactly how he was snagged remains under investigation, but the tragedy forced the MTA to face tough questions about subway safety protocols at the agency’s monthly board meeting on Wednesday.
MTA bosses repeatedly pointed out that subway doors are equipped with sensors that prevent a train from moving if the doors are not completely closed. The agency has added metal barriers to some platforms to help prevent riders from falling onto the tracks.
But the tragedy highlights how the MTA relies on an old-school tactic to keep millions of riders safe every day: a simple check by subway conductors. The conductors in the middle of trains are required to stick their heads out the window of their cab to make sure everyone is clear of the train.
