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Man Electrocuted by Third Rail at Christopher Street Subway Station

By  Jess Wisloski and Ben Fractenberg | July 15, 2013 4:39pm | Updated on July 15, 2013 6:03pm

 A police officer stands outside the Christopher Street station July 15, 2013, after a man died in the roadbed, the MTA said.
A police officer stands outside the Christopher Street station July 15, 2013, after a man died in the roadbed, the MTA said.
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DNAinfo/Ben Fractenberg

GREENWICH VILLAGE — A straphanger who climbed down onto the tracks at the Christopher Street subway station to retrieve dropped property was electrocuted after touching the third rail on Monday during afternoon rush hour, police sources said.

The unidentified victim  jumped onto the track bed about 3:28 p.m. and died after he came in contact with the high voltage line that powers the train, the FDNY and MTA said.

"Apparently a customer went onto the roadbed and came into contact with the third rail," said the spokesman.

As a result of the police investigation, 1 trains between South Ferry and 34th Street-Penn Station were shut down, and 3 trains between Atlantic Ave. and 34th St. were also suspended.

Southbound 2 trains were skipping Christopher Street.

Some northbound 2 trains were running along the 5 line from Nevins St. in Brooklyn to 149th St.- Grand Central in the Bronx. The MTA advised customers to expect longer travel times.