March 23, 2009: Vol. 32, No. 12

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March 23, 2009 / Brooklyn news / Brooklyn Heights

Subway suicide at Borough Hall

By Evan Gardner

The Brooklyn Paper

A man jumped to his death from the Manhattan-bound 4 train platform just after noon on Monday at the Borough Hall, tying up subway service for about 90 minutes, authorities said.

“People were screaming,” said Jared Brackat, a commuter who watched the man, who appeared to be in his 30s, jump in front of the oncoming train.

Orchestra of St Lukes

The dead man’s body was then pinned under the train while police responded.

NYPD spokesman Martin Speechley said the death was one of two subway-related suicides on Monday, with another occurring in Queens earlier in the day. Speechley said the suicides do not appear to be connected.

←Fort Greene: This guy was panhandled

→Bay Ridge: Ridge library closures are a double feature

Reader Feedback

Saddened from Brooklyn Heights says:

Tragic; terrible.

Am I misperceiving, or have their been more "person under train" incidents/fatalities than usual in the past couple of months?

March 24, 2009, Midnight

Jairo Mateo from University Heights says:

can't imagine why anyone would throw away their life at the peak of their lifespan.

what is scary is that the station is close to my college.

March 24, 2009, 12:35 am

jerry from bk says:

agree - seems like this is happening more often, and during 'normal' (not late-nite) hours ... but it gets minimal if any coverage. wonder if the stats bear out this view.

March 24, 2009, 2:22 am

Saint from Crown Hights says:

It is sad that a person views this as their only option.

It never is...

March 24, 2009, 3:17 pm

eman from Brooklyn says:

I was in the first cart when it happen and I was so scared, I have post-dramatic stress after this incident. There was 5 other people plus the conductor. We all heard a big bang and everybody assumed right then and there that it was a body. My whole body was shaking. The conductor came out speechless and she uttered that it had been a someone who jumped and a lady began screaming. This is not the first case and i dont think it would be the last but the cure for this is Islam. Truthfully!

March 24, 2009, 5:36 pm

Milosz from Brooklyn says:

Day after the 3/23 Bklyn and Queens suicides, Gothamist reported "Person Under Train, Wycoff St & Dekalb Ave Brooklyn, NY, 3/24/2009 4:12 p.m."
Which might well be accidental ... but as others said, there do seem to be more of these lately, & during weekday workday-type hours, & often w/no media coverage.

March 25, 2009, 12:02 am

his neice from bx n y.o says:

this was my uncle dat dis n 2 kno he was under so much n i didnt kno kills me inside... feelin lost n in disbelief

March 26, 2009, 12:35 pm

G A C from Cobble Hill says:

I would like to know more about who these two
people were and why they did what they did.
They were ignored by the so-called main media

March 26, 2009, 4:16 pm

a good friend from the bronx. says:

He was a wonderful person who had more than he could take, he left a lot of friends and family confused and in pain. This was something that came as a shock to everyone... we love him dearly.

March 26, 2009, 11:41 pm

Family from Bronx says:

To G A C, the man in the Borough Hall incident was the kindest, most loving man anyone will ever meet. It is hard to find a man so committed to his family. Being around him felt like a blessing under any circumstance and it hurts to know that I will never have that pleasure again. He will be loved and missed by countless people.

March 27, 2009, 7:50 pm

Friends from Queens says:

Our family is deeply sadden by this. I know this man to be kind and humble and someone who loved his family very much. He was like a brother to my husband always encouraging him to change his ways. It is truely sad and painful; as this is the last person that we would expect this from. To his family may God give you the courage and strenght to cope. My husband said to my six year old daughter I love him and my daughter turn to him and said " Daddy everyone love him. Let's pray for his soul and remember the good times we shared with him. And for those who did not know him, he is the type of person that you would be proud to call a friend. And yes the media did ignore this story; this man baby sat my daughter he was a gem and will be greatly missed.

March 28, 2009, 1:42 pm

andrea from queens says:

I was very shocked when I got the news. This man was my cousin. We grew up together,went to school and was in the same class together. He was one of the sweetest person one could ever meet and he was willing to give of himself so freely. This couldn't have happened to a sweeter person. The entire family is in total shock. May god be with us in this time of grief and I hope that we will all remember him for all the good times and the good things he ever did. May his soul rest in peace.

March 28, 2009, 8:54 pm

NB from Bronx says:

Yesterday, Today and forever, I am sad
Heaven knows that I am so mad
How could my familia check out this way?
Like so many who knew him I wish I could say
You helped me so much with your kind words and deeds
Let me help you through this and fulfill all your needs
I’d offer a hug, a tug or a stare
I’d say something just to quell his fear
Life is so precious and I hope you found peace
Because I know that my love for you will ne’r cease

March 30, 2009, 11:45 am

my friend-- from bx says:

You have been so helpful and kind to me a true friend. I'm hurting and i'm angry. I only wish you had given me the chance to help you through this the way you were always there for me... Im confused.. I am praying that your soul will rest in the arms of God and find peace. Love you always. Friend and family lets pray and try to let go of the anger so his spirit will be free. This of all the fun times we shared with him.

March 31, 2009, 12:36 am

my friend-- from bx says:

March 31, 2009, 12:38 am

Paka from Bronx says:

Anyone have anymore information on this incident. A news aticle anything with more information. I think this happened to a friend of mine brother, who is in Jamaica but I can't verify.
Please anyone with more details

March 31, 2009, 6:45 pm

Friend says:

This was not given much media coverage but this was a young man about 41yrs and he is from manchester jamaica. Very well known guy. Check more area of this paper Brooklyn blog or so.

April 1, 2009, 10:52 pm

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