Firecracker Lit On F Train Sparks Panic: Transit Officials

CHELSEA, NY — A firecracker lit on the F train sparked panic during Friday's morning commute, transit officials and subway riders said.

The explosive was tossed on the train near 14th St. just before 10 a.m., according to NYCT Subway.

Tweets described a chaotic scene as terrified passengers pushed to get out of the subway car, and stampeded onto the platform as the train arrived at the 23rd St. station.

Police responded to F train stations at 14th St. and 23rd St. to investigate, NYPD Transit wrote on Twitter at 9:51 a.m.

An NYPD spokesman confirmed police were investigating, and no injuries had been reported as of about 10:05 a..m

Passenger Leslie Bradshaw described a "full stampede moving from car to car," in a tweet.

As officers are on scene at 14th St and 23rd St investigating reports that someone threw a firecracker into a subway car on the F train we ask anyone who witnessed the incident to call 911 with any timely information pic.twitter.com/4Dn8zOtdO5
— NYPD Transit (@NYPDTransit) May 31, 2019

Another rider, Amelia Vogler, said the "entire train car ran, leaving [belongings]," adding there was "maniacal laughter" from the person who tossed the firecracker.

"[P]eople were running through train cars trying to escape. One woman lost a shoe, carnage of spilled coffees, groceries, etc.," Vogler tweeted.

More from scene of #Ftrain attack, everyone disembarked from 23 St. people were running through train cars trying to escape. One woman lost a shoe, carnage of spilled coffees, groceries, etc. pic.twitter.com/MU5RXKPkY5
— Amelia Vogler (@Amelia_Vogler) May 31, 2019

Delays were expected on the B, D, F, G and M lines following the incident, MTA said.

Some northbound F trains were running express from W. 4th St.—Washington Sq. to 34th St.-Herald Sq.

Northbound M trains were running on the E line from W. 4th St. to 5th Ave.-53rd St., per the MTA.

Some northbound F trains were running on the G line in Brooklyn from Bergen St. to Court Sq. and then via the E line to Jackson Hts.—Roosevelt Av.