FDNY Frees Toddler’s Arm From Subway Doors

A 2-year-old child was taken to a hospital after the child’s hand became trapped in a J train door at the Flushing Avenue and Broadway station in Brooklyn early on May 20, according to police and local TV reports. First responders removed the child’s hand from the door, and the toddler is expected to be OK, News 12 reported, citing police. A video aired by CBS New York showed the incident at the Flushing Avenue station. The episode drew attention because it involved a very young child and a routine part of subway travel — boarding and exiting through automatic train doors. ### Where and when did the child get stuck? Police said the incident happened at about 1 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20, at the Flushing Avenue and Broadway station on the J line in Brooklyn. News 12 reported that the child was 2 years old and that the hand became stuck in a train door. CBS New York said social media video showed the scene at the Flushing Avenue station. (bronx.news12.com) Public reports reviewed for this story did not identify the child or family members. ### What did first responders do at the station? First responders were able to remove the child’s hand from the door, News 12 reported. The outlet said the child was then transported to an area hospital and is expected to be OK. (bronx.news12.com) Publicly available reports did not provide a detailed account of which tools were used or how long the rescue took. (cbsnews.com) The verified accounts available on May 24 said only that responders freed the child and that the injuries were not expected to be life-threatening. ### What are riders supposed to do if something goes wrong on a train? (bronx.news12.com) The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says riders should call 911 if there is an emergency and notify MTA personnel as soon as possible. The agency’s emergency guidance says passengers on subways can tell an MTA staff member immediately, use two-way intercoms near the ends of a train car if available, or alert the conductor in the middle of the train when the doors open at the next station. (bronx.news12.com) The MTA also says riders in stations can use Help Point intercoms or find staff for assistance. On its contact page, the agency says emergencies should go to 911, while non-emergency issues can be reported through its feedback system or by calling 511. ### What does this incident show about subway-door risks? The May 20 incident shows that a door problem can become a medical emergency before a train leaves the station. (mta.info) The public accounts available so far do not say whether the child was boarding, exiting or standing near the door when the hand became trapped. MTA safety guidance does not address this case specifically, but it tells riders to remain alert, follow instructions from staff and emergency personnel, and avoid unsafe movement while entering or exiting vehicles. The agency also says customers should be aware of how to reach staff on trains and in stations. ### What information is still public — and what comes next? (bronx.news12.com) As of May 24, the clearest public facts were the time, place and outcome: about 1 a.m., Flushing Avenue and Broadway, a 2-year-old child, and a hospital trip with recovery expected. Neither the MTA nor police material reviewed for this story publicly identified the family or released additional medical details. (mta.info) The next public updates, if any, are most likely to come through local police reporting, broadcast follow-ups, or MTA customer-safety channels. The MTA says riders can use station Help Points, train intercoms, 511, or its online reporting system to report unsafe conditions or request follow-up. (mta.info) (bronx.news12.com)