Liam Armstrong Killed by Subway Train: Teen Dies on 18th Birthday, 'Dared' to Cross Dangerous NYC Tracks, Smithtown Mourns Loss on Twitter

Reports confirm that Long Island teen Liam Armstrong was fatally struck by a NYC subway train while celebrating his 18th birthday on Tuesday evening, March 26. After hopping on the wrong train, Armstrong and two friends dared one another to dangerously cross the tracks to the other side of the platform instead of taking the aboveground southbound side walkway. One teen made it across safely, but when Armstrong went to run the tracks at the 79th and Broadway stop on Manhattan's Upper West Side, he was hit and killed by an oncoming no. 2 express train. The popular Smithtown High School East student severed his leg and ultimately died of severe head injuries - he was pronounced dead at the scene once authorities arrived.

The tragic incident happened at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. While trying to get to Greenwich Village, Armstrong and two fellow birthday revelers mistakenly boarded a northbound no. 1 train after spending the afternoon in Central Park. After realizing that they were headed the wrong way, the boys got off at West 79th Street. Without thinking about the dangerous risks involved, the teens decided to cross the underground tracks as a short-cut. One made it across safely, but when it was Armstrong's turn, he was violently slammed by a northbound no. 2 express train.

When police responded to the tragic scene, they discovered a one-liter bottle of Bacardi rum in Armstrong's backpack and two fake IDs in his wallet.

According to the New York Post, law enforcement officials said that the train operator tried to stop the speeding train by pulling the emergency brake, but it was too late. Investigators promptly arrived at the scene and power was immediately cut to the train - commuters were allegedly stuck in the cars for over an hour. The MTA reports that following the teen's death, the 1, 2, and 3 train services were temporarily halted from Times Square/42nd St. up to 96th St.

One unnamed eyewitness told CBS New York that they could see parts of the deceased teen's body during evacuation: "There's a person under the train and I saw his hand and his arm by the wheels of the train."

Several students and friends took to Twitter on Tuesday evening to express their sorrow over Armstrong's unfortunate death, trending the hashtag #staystrongsmithtown.

A popular peer among Smithtown students, Armstrong was an accomplished athlete who enjoyed skateboarding, basketball, and lacrosse, according to his Facebook page. Friends said Armstrong was preparing to graduate this year and was considering going into the police force (following in his father's footsteps, a Nassau County detective sergeant).

"[He] was a popular student among his peers and the high school staff," school superintendent Anthony J. Annunziato said in a statement."He was a vibrant young man who will be missed by all who knew him. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg commented on Armstrong's death at a meeting on Wednesday morning:

"In this case, probabilities caught up with this young kid... I mean, it's a tragedy and I don't know what to say to the parents. You know, a young kid makes a mistake on a dare. All kids, when they grow up, dare things and do stupid things, and we all, you know, look back and say, 'We're there but for the grace of God.'"

Thoughts and condolences go out to Armstrong's family and friends during this time of unfortunate tragedy.