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Early on a Tuesday morning, around 6:30 a.m., tragedy struck the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue/74th Street station in New York City. Jessica Marleny Ajtzac Guarcas, an 18-year-old woman, tragically lost her life after an unexpected fall onto the subway tracks just as a train was arriving.
The New York City Police Department confirmed the incident, stating that Jessica was found “unresponsive” on the tracks and was declared deceased at the location.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Richard Davey, the New York City Transit Authority President, shared that Jessica’s fall seemed to have been the result of a sudden medical situation. He dubbed the incident as an “unusual and unfortunate accident.”
According to Davey, security footage from the MTA revealed that Jessica didn’t show any signs of preparing for the fall. The footage has not been made public yet, but the MTA president noted that as Jessica was falling, the train was simultaneously entering the station. Despite the operator’s efforts to immediately halt the train, it was too late.
The aftermath of this unfortunate event saw significant disruptions in the subway service. The E, F, and R lines were subject to extensive delays.
This harrowing event left a profound impact on those present. One passenger relayed their shock to CBS affiliate WCBS, stating, “Accidents like this are things you only hear about. Seeing it firsthand, I’m both shocked and deeply saddened.”
Currently, the medical examiner is looking into the circumstances surrounding Jessica’s sudden death. Moreover, the MTA president confirmed that the NYPD is in possession of the video footage of the incident.
Reflecting on the gravity of the event, Davey expressed his condolences, saying the incident was not just a loss for the city, but a heart-wrenching moment for Jessica’s family. “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with her family during this painful period,” he concluded.
