Subway Train Strikes, Kills Garden City Man

A 2007 Garden City High School graduate died early Saturday morning after being hit by a Brooklyn-bound subway train.

Brian O'Mara, 22, was out with friends before the accident, according to a report by the Daily News.

The news shocked many in Garden City.

"Brian was adored by this community," a devastated Garden City resident who wished to remain anonymous told Patch. "He was not only close to his supportive family, but had a network of close friends who regarded him as a brother. He always had a positive attitude, a sharp intellect and an affectionate demeanor. Even his close friends' parents and siblings thought of him as family. While the loss of Brian at such a young age leaves us feeling empty now, he brought joy into so many of our hearts that will remain with us forever."

According to the MTA, O’Mara was walking along the tunnel on the 14th St. L line near the Third Ave. stop when he was struck by the Brooklyn-bound train at 8:12 a.m.

According to reports, O'Mara was one of four people killed in less than 24 hours in four separate accidents in the city transit system Saturday - three were struck by trains and another reportedly fell down a flight of stairs and was later pronounced at the hospital.

O'Mara, who graduated the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, most recently worked as a research associate at Corporate Insight, according to his Linkedin profile.

"He was a great guy, very caring and well meaning," another resident told Patch. "He will be missed."

O'Mara would have turned 23 on March 9.

A wake will be held Thursday and Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Park Funeral Chapels in Garden City Park. A funeral for O'Mara will take place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Joseph's Church.