Smoking project scatters subway patrons
Published: March 28, 2008 at 6:05 PM
NEW YORK, March 28 (UPI) -- A smoking school science project in a backpack on a crowded New York City subway had riders fleeing for their safety.
"This is not a bomb! This is not terror!" Gregory Kats, a New York City College of Technology student, told the New York Daily News he yelled to passengers as they ran.
The 29-year-old computer engineering student was heading home from school when wires on his project short-circuited in his backpack, white smoke escaping and panicking fellow riders.
"They were panicking, and I realized their fear," Kats told the newspaper.
He said he tried to dismantle the device on the platform as he reassured riders it was really a science project.
A police bomb squad was dispatched, and police detained Kats for questioning.
Kats was released a few of hours later, science project in tow, without being charged, police said.
"This is not a bomb! This is not terror!" Gregory Kats, a New York City College of Technology student, told the New York Daily News he yelled to passengers as they ran.
The 29-year-old computer engineering student was heading home from school when wires on his project short-circuited in his backpack, white smoke escaping and panicking fellow riders.
"They were panicking, and I realized their fear," Kats told the newspaper.
He said he tried to dismantle the device on the platform as he reassured riders it was really a science project.
A police bomb squad was dispatched, and police detained Kats for questioning.
Kats was released a few of hours later, science project in tow, without being charged, police said.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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