From ABC7 New York · · 1m 20s
Panic on Metro-North as passenger makes threat at Grand Central
A woman in distress triggered an emergency stop and mass evacuation when she told passengers it would be their last day on Earth.
In brief
A woman in distress triggered an emergency stop and mass evacuation when she told passengers it would be their last day on Earth. If threatened on transit, create distance from the person and self-evacuate if necessary rather than waiting for official instructions. Originally reported by ABC7 New York.
Threat stops train at Grand Central
A passenger on the 7:12 a.m. Metro-North from New Canaan pulled the emergency cord and told riders, "This will be your last day on Earth."
“This will be your last day on Earth”
Gun scare triggers panic
When the woman reached into her bag, a passenger yelled "gun," adding to the chaos. No weapon was ever found.
60 passengers flee through windows
About 60 commuters climbed out emergency windows and walked along the tracks to the platform. MTA employees didn't open doors or tell people to leave.
650 more evacuated after power restored
MTA police escorted track walkers to safety, then crews restored electricity so the train could reach the platform and the remaining 650 passengers could exit.
Expert backs self-evacuation decision
Former NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said passengers did the right thing evacuating themselves and moving away from the threat.
“You should be thinking of your security and have your wits about you when you move about it.”
Woman charged with terroristic threat
Hannah Jane Santero, 33, was taken to Bellevue Hospital for psychological evaluation and charged with making a terroristic threat and a threat of mass harm.
The key point
If threatened on transit, create distance from the person and self-evacuate if necessary rather than waiting for official instructions.
