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Man takes a deadly leap off the platform in front of an oncoming R train in Astoria: cops

r train
Photo via Wikimedia Commons/R38R40

A man died on Sunday morning after jumping in front of a Manhattan-bound R train in Astoria.

According to police, the man leaped from the Steinway Street station onto the tracks at about 9:55 a.m. on April 8. Police said the train operator saw the man jump but could not stop on time.

Nick Haby, 29, told the Daily News that when the train first pulled into the Steinway Street station, the conductor did not open the door.

“It seemed like typical train delay,” Haby told the paper. “Then one of the MTA officials with the orange vests walked into our car. I was in the first car. He told us there was a horrible accident and we had to evacuate.”

The victim was described by police as a black man; he was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity was withheld pending family notification.