Indian-origin woman, friend killed in NYC tragedy

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 16, 2026

Two 24-year-old Rutgers University students, Malaika Chitre and Navam Kaul, were fatally struck by a downtown No. 4 subway train at the Spring Street station in Lower Manhattan after both were found on the tracks early Sunday morning. Video evidence suggests Chitre was trying to rescue Kaul moments before the collision, and authorities continue investigating the circumstances that led to the incident.

An Indian-origin woman and her friend were fatally struck by a subway train at the Spring Street station in Lower Manhattan early Sunday morning, authorities said. The two were on the tracks when a downtown No. 4 train approached, and the train operator’s emergency braking efforts were unsuccessful in preventing the collision.

The victims were identified as 24-year-old Malaika Chitre of Dayton, New Jersey, and 24-year-old Navam Kaul of Sayreville, New Jersey. Both had been students at Rutgers University. Chitre graduated in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Rutgers-New Brunswick School of Arts and Sciences and was employed as an operations specialist at Acadia Pharmaceuticals. Kaul attended Rutgers Business School from fall 2020 through spring 2024.

The incident occurred around 3:14 a.m. after the train operator noticed the two individuals on the tracks and activated the emergency brakes. Despite this, the train, which consisted of 10 cars, had already entered the station with four cars by the time it stopped, striking both victims beneath the third and fourth cars.

The exact circumstances leading the pair onto the tracks have not been definitively established. Law enforcement sources cited by media reports suggested that Kaul may have either fallen or climbed onto the tracks first, with Chitre then descending in an apparent effort to assist him. Video footage circulated online appears to show one of the victims attempting to pull the other to safety just moments before the train’s arrival. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority also confirmed that Chitre was seen trying to help Kaul shortly before the collision.

Emergency responders recovered their bodies from the tracks, and investigations are ongoing to determine how the two ended up in harm’s way. Authorities have not provided further details regarding any potential foul play or medical emergencies preceding the incident.

The New York subway system was briefly disrupted as officials cleared the scene. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority reiterated its commitment to passenger safety while mourning the loss of the two young adults.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.