Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Electrifying Ride Atop Metro-North Train
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Jan 12, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Dave Hogarty
Published Jan 12, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A 37-year-old man ended his train trip atop a Metro-North car at the Pelham station, where he fell or was pulled from the train's roof, while on fire and suffering from burns after coming into contact with a high voltage power cable. Accounts of the incident differ, but do agree on the fact that the adventurer was named Eric Chavez, he suffered burns on his body, and that it was somewhat of a miracle that he was alive.
MTA officials are unclear on how Chavez got atop the train heading north out of Grand Central Terminal, but when the commuter railroad was pulling into the Pelham station, the electricity shorted out and the train came to a halt. WNBC reports that rescue workers had to pull Chavez from the roof of the car with fiberglass poles because his body was still electrified. According to the New York Post, however, passengers saw Chavez fall from the roof of the train around 7 p.m. after a loud boom as the train's lights flickered. Witnesses said that the man seemed completely unfazed after toppling from the rooftop, although his jacket was on fire.
MTA workers said that the electrified equipment that Chavez may have come into contact with carries between 11,000 and 14,000 volts. They're not sure how he gained access to the roof of the Metro-North car. He's being treated at Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx for burns to his arm and back.
Image from music video directed by Spike Jonze
Tagged
bronx
electrocution
Eric Chavez
fire
grand central
grand central terminal
Jacobi Hospital
metro
metro north
MTA
music video
new york
new york post
pelham
roof
spike jonze
train
voltage
wnbc
Dave Hogarty
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
The deal would compensate over 1,300 alleged victims and help the church avoid bankruptcy.
By
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 24, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
Sean Carlson
NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .