Teen falls down Queensboro Bridge shaft as apparent social media challenge nearly ends in tragedy | amNewYork

"According to police sources, the span across the East River was flooded with emergency vehicles just before 9 p.m. on Feb. 16 after a 16-year-old boy lost his footing while attempting to climb the bridge. Sources reported that he fell some 50 feet. The Fire Department used a series of pulleys and ropes to hoist the youngster from inside the bridge to safety. EMS rushed him to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition."

"Instagram accounts associated with the teenager and his friends showed youths fleeing in a panic after he had fallen down the shaft. He dead fell, one person could be heard saying as he filmed down the shaft, focusing in on a shoe. A teenager fell down a shaft inside the Queensboro Bridge on Monday night, prompting a massive rescue effort and causing mass panic from eyewitnesses.Photo by Ramy Mahmoud"

A 16-year-old fell down a shaft inside the Ed Koch-Queensboro Bridge on Monday night after losing his footing while trying to climb the span. Emergency vehicles flooded the bridge just before 9 p.m. on Feb. 16 after the teen fell roughly 50 feet. The Fire Department used pulleys and ropes to hoist him from inside the bridge to safety, and EMS transported him to Weill Cornell Medical Center in stable condition. Police suspect he was attempting a social media challenge. Instagram videos showed friends fleeing and filming, and some accounts later removed content. Locals panicked at the flashing emergency lights.

Read at www.amny.com