You are reading

Large Bolt Falls From 7 Train Tracks and Damages Car in Long Island City: Report

Vehicle traveling underneath the Queensboro Plaza station (Google)

Oct. 22, 2019. By Shane O’Brien

A rusty bolt reportedly fell from the elevated 7 train tracks in Long Island City on Tuesday morning and smashed the roof of a car passing below, according to a report in Gothamist.

The bolt crashed through the roof of Kew Gardens resident Phillip Garcia’s car as he passed under the Queensboro Plaza station, he told Gothamist. The bolt missed Garcia by inches, according to the report, although he was unhurt.

“You just hear a loud sound, and there’s a huge, five-pound bolt through your sunroof,” Garcia told Gothamist. “I’ve seen things fall from the 7 train since I was a teenager, but I’ve never seen anything like that.”

Piece of wood smashes through windshield of car on 65th Street in Woodside in February

A protective covering below Garcia’s sunroof stopped the seven inch bolt from landing inside the car.

This is one of many incidents this year where debris has fallen from the elevated tracks along the 7 line and nearly caused a fatality.

In February and March, there were two incidents near the 61st Street – Woodside station where falling debris struck and damaged cars below.

In August, a chunk of metal fell from the elevated 7 line close to the 52nd Street – Lincoln Avenue station and smashed onto the pavement.

The incidents prompted the MTA to announce earlier this month that it would be installing safety netting under all elevated subway tracks in New York City to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians passing below.

The nets are being installed as part of the MTA’s $51.5 billion 2020-2024 capital budget and are estimated to cost $325 million.

The MTA also announced last week that it would be removing decorative tiles from the elevated tracks along Queens Boulevard from 32nd Place to 48th Street. The tiles have fallen off and struck vehicles on at least two occasions this year.

A tile fell off and landed on a car in Sunnyside in January (Photo: Vitali Ogorodnikov)

email the author: news@queenspost.com

3 Comments

Click for Comments 
Gardens Watcher

Correction: Gothamist story link says his name is Philip Garcia, not Frank Garcia.

And their story update this afternoon says the MTA said it was under the N/W line south of QB Plaza, so the bolt was not from the 7 train. And was just inspected last week!

Wow, how reassuring.

5
22
Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Advocates urge passage of New York for All Act as Assembly session nears end

Jun. 16, 2025 By Jimmy Robles

As the State Senate concluded its legislative session on Thursday, immigrant rights advocates renewed calls for lawmakers to pass the New York for All Act before the Assembly adjourns on Tuesday, June 17. The proposed legislation, along with several other immigration-related bills, remains pending as the clock winds down on this year’s session.

Queens gun buyback takes 74 firearms off streets, including ghost guns and assault weapons: DA

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday that 74 firearms were taken off the streets at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica during a gun buyback event on Saturday, June 14. The weapons were exchanged for bank cards pre-loaded with cash, with no identification required and no questions asked.

“Gun buybacks serve as a critical tool for reducing gun violence and promoting public safety within our communities,” Katz said. “This Saturday, working with the NYPD and clergy leaders in Jamaica, we received 74 surrendered guns — including five automatic weapons. As a result, these firearms will not be used to cause heartache and tragedy.”

Queens Distance Runners hosts second annual track meet at St. John’s University, spotlighting Olympian and local talent

Jun. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

Dozens of runners gathered at the DaSilva Field Track in St. John’s University for the second annual track meet last month. Hosted by Queens Distance Runners (QDR), a grassroots running organization, the sporting competition welcomed sprinters and distance runners of all skill levels to test their abilities, vying for the podium in track events from 100 meters to 5,000 meters.