A woman threatened other passengers on a rush-hour Metro-North train headed into Grand Central Terminal on Wednesday morning, upending commutes for hundreds of riders, according to the MTA.
The incident unfolded just before 8:30 a.m. on a train coming in from New Canaan, Connecticut. The MTA Police Department reported that the 32-year-old woman, identified as Hannah Jane Santero, began “experiencing an emotional crisis” as the train approached Midtown and shouted to other riders that “this will be your last day on earth.”
Another rider on the train then pulled the emergency cord, bringing the train to a full stop just 100 yards short of the platform, according to police.
About 60 passengers rushed onto the tracks when the train stopped, causing Metro-North Railroad officials to turn off the electric third rail and suspend service to the lower level of Grand Central, the MTAPD said.
MTAPD officers responded to the scene and crew members escorted the passengers on the tracks to the platform.
After more than 20 minutes, Metro-North restored power to the tracks and the train was moved to the platform, where its 650 remaining passengers exited safely.
Santero was arrested and charged with making a terroristic threat and making a threat of mass harm. She was transported to Bellevue Hospital for psychiatric evaluation, MTAPD said. Her attorney information was not immediately available.
Full train service resumed at 8:50 a.m.
