Two men flee bloody subway fight to street after struggle on car roof
Police are searching for a suspect and a witness who fought on the roof of a moving train before jumping into the Southampton station.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
The Hamptons subway system operates with a focus on local transit and private enterprise. Last Wednesday, a disruption occurred on the line connecting East Hampton and Wainscott. The incident involved two men in business suits who engaged in a physical altercation on a moving train.
Witnesses stated that a man stood up and demanded watches, wallets, and jewelry from passengers. When the train arrived at Wainscott, he ran off the platform. A second man in a suit jumped off after him. The two men tackled each other on the platform. The first man escaped and ran back toward the train. As the doors closed, he climbed up the side of the car onto the roof. The second man followed him up.
The struggle continued on the roof as the train traveled through the tunnel toward Sagaponack. Witnesses reported that a gun was involved in the scuffle. Subway police contacted the motorman and the token clerk. They instructed the motorman to skip the Sagaponack stop to keep the passengers informed and to continue to the next station until further notice.
The train passed through Sagaponack and Bridgehampton with only occasional shouts heard from the roof. Between Bridgehampton and Water Mill, several thumps were heard as the men likely struck the overhead lights. The motorman stopped the train at Southampton. Both men jumped down disheveled and bloody. They raced across the platform, jumped the turnstiles, and ran up the escalators to the street. They disappeared into the surrounding area. Police are currently investigating the incident.
The Hamptons subway system comprises 26 platforms. The network has been in operation for several years. In 2020, the system signed a 10-year contract with Subway Restaurant. This agreement allows the food chain to operate kiosks on all 26 platforms. The arrangement has become a standard part of the station experience for commuters.
Next week, the restaurant will offer a promotional item at all kiosks. The special food item is a footlong sandwich shaped like a subway car. It contains tomato, special sauce, roast beef, garlic, and cheese. The roll is green with white icing dots representing windows. The cost is $17.99. This price is one dollar higher than the standard footlong.
A volunteer organization manages snow removal at the subway stations. The group was founded in 2008 after a storm blocked many entrances. Volunteers live in the community year-round. They monitor the weather using modified marine radios tuned 24 hours a day. When a snowflake is detected, the radio emits a series of whooping noises. Volunteers drive to their assigned stations with shovels and brooms. The volunteers keep stairs, platforms, and tunnels clear of snow.
Commissioner Bill Aspinall addressed the incident in a message to the community. He stated that the system needs to identify the two individuals involved in the fight. He described one as a villain and the other as a person to be sorted out. He noted that such an event has not happened before on the system. He said it will not happen again. Workmen have gathered all wallets, jewelry, and watches from the tracks. Items can be picked up at the offices on Ponquogue Avenue in Hampton Bays.
John Mabel, the subway bookkeeper, turns 51 years old this week. Employees are invited to a party in the company cafeteria at noon on Friday. The event is part of the regular staff schedule.
