Feb. 16, 2016 By Jackie Strawbridge
7 train service was halted during the afternoon commute today, after a Queens-bound train suffered what passengers described as an adrenaline-inducing incident.
According to the MTA, the train had a “mechanical problem” at the Hunters Point Avenue stop at 4:30 p.m.
Service was suspended between Queensboro Plaza and 34th Street in Manhattan, in both directions, and resumed at 4:55 p.m., an MTA spokesperson said.
Straphangers subsequently took to social media, some describing the incident as an “explosion.”
The MTA spokesperson said that “it was not an explosion,” although “they may have heard a noise.”
Jennifer Hsu, who works on Vernon Boulevard and was on the train at the time, said she heard a “loud boom” and saw “white smoke” after the train pulled into Hunters Point Avenue.
“Just as the doors opened, we heard the boom,” she said. “Nobody knew what was going on.”
“It was definitely scary, but I think honestly people’s reactions were scarier than the actual incident,” she added. “It was like a stampede – some people were pushing and yelling and just trying to get up those stairs.”
No injuries resulted from this incident, according to the MTA.
As of this writing, the express 7 train remains out of service.
Unknown explosion on my 7 train at Hunters Point creates near stampede; no injuries at this time #surreal #walkingit
— Kimberly Chen (@gothamgirl87) February 16, 2016
Lol yay 7 train. Tryna blow up while I try to get home ???? ugh.
— mashed potatoes (@_Shabss_) February 16, 2016
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