Footage from the scene has since been shared across the internet
A man trying to avoid paying for his train fare died after attempting to jump over the train station barrier and accidentally breaking his neck.
Police and paramedics were called to the mezzanine floor of a subway station in Queens, New York, where they found the man “unconscious and unresponsive” on the floor. The man, who has now been named as 28-year-old Christopher De La Cruz, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Footage from the scene has been shared across the internet and seemingly shows the young father attempting to jump the barrier numerous times before falling on the far left turnstile. Losing his balance, the man swings forwards face-first into the floor.
It is believed that De La Cruz attempted to jump the barrier, only to trip and crack his head on the concrete floor.
Police allegedly told the New York Post that De La Cruz was “attempting to evade the fare” before the freak accident.
The fare totalled $2.75 (£2.04).
The cause of death has yet to be confirmed by the medical examiner but initial reports from police suggest that his broken neck was the cause.
He is survived by his four-year-old boy and his father, Jose De La Cruz.
Jose told Daily News: “What can I say? He did a mistake.”
More information is expected to follow as the medical examiner concludes their investigation.
While people on social media noted De La Cruz’s actions and questioned whether he was intoxicated, nothing has been confirmed by either the police or medical experts.
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