Police: Jessica Marleny Ajtzac Guarcas, 18, struck and killed by train after fainting onto subway tracks in Jackson Heights, Queens
NEW YORK -- A teenage girl was struck and killed by a subway train at a Queens station Tuesday morning.
It happened after she suffered a medical episode and fell into the tracks.
The NYPD and medical examiner removed the body of 18-year-old Jessica Marleny Ajtzac Guarcas from the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue station as passengers paused on the platform in silence.
"I heard the news. My heart goes out to their family," one person said.
"I felt so bad now, and nervous. I can't imagine," said another.
Police said at 6:30 a.m. Guarcas was standing on the subway platform on her way to school when she fainted and fell onto the tracks and was fatally struck by an oncoming train.
"I always hear about accidents like that. This is the first time I see a body. I'm pretty shocked," one person said.
Authorities said they have reviewed the surveillance footage. They say there was no suspicious activity.
"Our hearts and our prayers from the New York City Transit family go out to her family. By all accounts, this was just a tragic accident that sadly occurred today, no criminality at all," New York City Transit Authority President Richard Davey said. "Any time we lose a young New Yorker, 18 years old, it's a moment that I think we all take to cherish our families and our own lives."
Subway service was impacted for several hours Tuesday morning as police investigated.
Trains are once again running on a normal schedule.