New York: An Indian-origin woman and her friend were killed after being struck by a subway train at a Manhattan station in New York, leaving their families and friends devastated.
The victims were identified as 24-year-old Malaika Chitre, from Dayton, New Jersey, and her friend Navam Kaul, also 24, from Sayreville, New Jersey. Both were graduates of Rutgers University.
What Happened At The Subway Station?
The incident took place at the Spring Street subway station in Lower Manhattan at around 3:15 am. According to police, the two were on the tracks when a southbound No. 4 train entered the station.
The train operator reportedly saw the pair on the tracks and attempted to stop the train, but was unable to prevent the collision. Both Chitre and Kaul were killed in the incident.
Around 100 passengers were later evacuated from the train.
Police Probe Underway
Authorities are investigating how the two friends ended up on the subway tracks and what happened in the moments before the train arrived.
Police are examining available evidence as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The exact sequence of events has not yet been conclusively determined.
Both Were Graduate Rutgers
Chitre and Kaul were longtime friends and graduated from Rutgers University in 2024.
Chitre was working in the pharmaceutical sector and had recently begun pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Kaul was working as a financial data analyst in New York.
Their deaths have shocked friends, relatives and the wider New Jersey community as authorities continue investigating the tragic incident.