A passenger on board theNew Jersey Transitpulled the emergency stop on the train so he could retrieve the cellphone he dropped on the tracks.
Authorities say Eric Jones, of Harlem in New York City, was riding on a North Jersey Coast Line train when he accidentally dropped his phone onto the tracks while he was between cars.
The train was stopped around 8:20 a.m. Monday near the Secaucus Junction. The stoppage caused travel delays of up to 15 minutes on several lines during the morning commute.
NJ Transit issued a statement criticizing Jones' "reckless behavior," noting that he risked injury to himself and hundreds of others aboard the train.
A telephone number for Jones could not be located Monday afternoon. He is charged with defiant trespass and interfering with transportation.
Associated Press