Beatriz Briceno, the 19-year-old critically injured by an oncoming N train that killed 29-year-old Jose Gomez, has been able to open her eyes and move her legs for the first time since Friday night's accident. Briceno and Gomez had jumped onto the tracks at the 36th Avenue station in Queens to retrieve her jacket. Both had been drinking, and weren't able to move out of the way of the train. The MTA says the accident should serve as a warning to anyone thinking of jumping onto the tracks. MTA spokes man Mark Groce told the Daily News, "It's just not worth it."
Every New Yorker has probably considered how, were they forced to jump to the tracks, they would hide in the alcove under the platform if a train came, but those who have made the leap say it's not that easy. Straphanger Sean Frawley told the Times he jumped to save his BlackBerry, but it took nearly three people to haul him out. MTA officials also say people often miscalculate how fast the train is coming, and at an average of 30 mph it's hard for operators to stop the train quickly. "In one instant the coast looks clear, and you think you can hop down, retrieve your item and hop back up. In reality, it’s not that simple," said NYC Transit spokesman Paul Fleuranges.
Just last December, a man was killed by the B train while trying to retrieve his MP3 player from the tracks. Police say about 90 people a year are struck by trains, and half of the time it's fatal. However, there was no data about how many were retrieving dropped items. Frawley, speaking from experience, said, "I think it happens more than you realize."
