"It was hell": hundreds of passengers stuck on a train without electricity and air conditioning
About 700 people returning to New York City from a Chris Brown concert in New Jersey were trapped on a disabled train in stifling heat. Passengers spent about two hours without electricity or air conditioning before being evacuated early Saturday morning.
About 700 people, many of whom were returning to New York City from a concert by singer Chris Brown in New Jersey, were trapped on a disabled train in stifling heat for about two hours before being rescued early Saturday morning. The train stalled around 01:45 AM, leaving passengers without electricity or air conditioning.
According to passenger accounts, they smelled burning rubber, then the lights flickered and the train stopped. The driver informed passengers that power had been cut but provided no further details. The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) received the call about the disabled train around 01:45 AM, and 21 units, including 79 firefighters and medical personnel, responded to the scene. The incident was declared under control by 03:00 AM.
Ernesto Valverde, 37, who attended the concert with his wife, said the train broke down less than a kilometer from the platform:
"We were stuck there for two hours in the heat and humidity, for a journey of less than a kilometer."
Valverde harshly criticized the railway company NJ Transit on social media, noting that a diabetic passenger was on board. Damara Lee, 49, described the experience as "hell" and "hot, sweaty, unnecessary," adding that "it took the beauty out of the concert."
Eventually, a rescue train towed the disabled locomotive, and passengers were offloaded onto the platform at Moynihan Train Hall in Manhattan. NJ Transit did not respond to media inquiries regarding the incident.
