Boy survives fall on subway tracks as train enters station in Brooklyn
BROOKLYN (WABC) -- A 12-year-old boy is lucky to be alive after he fell in front of a subway train in Brooklyn on Tuesday morning.
An L-train was approaching the Metropolitan Avenue-Lorimer Street stop when the boy fell on the tracks, but he managed to avoid being hit by the train.
An MTA official said that the train operator saw what was happening and hit the brakes as the train entered the station.
The boy scampered under the platform overhang and one car passed him before the train came to a complete stop.
The boy was being treated for minor injuries.
"It was smart that he knew to hide on the side because I don't think most people know that there's that space there where you can, if unfortunately you fall or are pushed, you can hide there," subway rider Eric Brady said.
Not every station has that type of space under the platform to hide through.
The fear of falling, or even being pushed onto the tracks, is one many straphangers share.
According to the MTA, on average, more than 75 people die on the tracks every year and that's why they are testing out metal fences - installed now only at two stations -- to add one extra layer of protection against falls.
"We are hearing from customers, they feel safer. we are going to pilot it and see if it works," said NYC Transit President Richard Davey.
Exactly how the boy fell remains under investigation.
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