Some heartbreaking news a reporter of Indian origin who worked for New York’s CBS affiliate CBS2 was killed Saturday after falling from one of the rented mopeds that have become increasingly popular in a city still not keen on using traditional mass transit.
According to New York police on Monday, Nina Kapur, 26, was a passenger on a Revel scooter being driven by a 26-year-old man who was not seriously injured. The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 18, in the Greenpoint, Brooklyn neighborhood.
The station issued the following statement “We are heartbroken here at CBS2 as a member of our news family has passed away,”. Reporter Nina Kapur joined the team in June 2019 and was known for her contagious smile and love for storytelling. She was involved in a moped accident Saturday in the city and died at Bellevue Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nina’s family. She will be missed.”
The moped-sharing company Revel released a statement today saying that it would cooperate in the police investigation: “Revel extends deepest sympathies to Nina Kapur’s family and loved ones for their loss. We are aware of reports that she passed away after an accident involving a Revel electric moped. We are actively investigating this incident, and we are in contact with the N.Y.P.D. to aid their investigations in any way we can.”
The Revel scooters, which can hit speeds of 30 m.p.h., have become increasingly popular in Brooklyn and Queens in the months since COVID-19 struck New York. With subway ridership cratering, the Revels have taken a more visible place alongside Citi Bike rental bicycles on borough streets. According to a report, the Revels have become so popular that the company last week sent a warning email to customers with the subject line “Hey NY, we need to talk…” The email went on to say that the company has suspended 1,000 users for violating safety rules including not wearing helmets and riding on sidewalks and in street lanes reserved for bikes.
Police have not yet indicated a cause of Kapur’s accident, or whether she and the driver were wearing helmets. Unidentified police sources told American media that the accident occurred when the Revel driver swerved to avoid a car, and that neither driver nor passenger were wearing helmets. Kapur’s last tweet on July 14 was to Revel’s customer support. “Hi I have been trying to contact Revel support for an hour an half now,” she wrote, “Can someone please help me?” As news of the accident spread, Kapur’s colleagues and friends from her alma mater Syracuse University paid tribute online.
Not only did Nina have one of the kindest hearts, she was so incredibly hardworking and talented... evident by her role at CBS2 in New York at our age. https://t.co/fx23k8Vxca
— Kathryn Robinson (@Local12Kathryn) July 20, 2020
If you can’t feel the pain in our anchors @kjohnsononair and @DBrennanTV’s voices then you’re not listening. Her loss is profound and as we try to find the words, say a prayer for her family and friends who are grieving. So beautiful inside and out. We love you, Nina.. 💔 https://t.co/UCtdS8cZG2
— Otis Livingston (@OlivingstonTV) July 20, 2020
I am profoundly sad, @ChrisWragge. Nina was a bright light on @CBSNewYork and in our city. Thinking of you and all of Nina’s colleagues at Channel 2. https://t.co/BJTQLy35UU
— N. J. Burkett (@njburkett7) July 20, 2020
Join us in remembering Nina Kapur -- a brilliant and beloved journalist who worked in our newsroom from 2016-2017. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. https://t.co/97B52KdxGP pic.twitter.com/dF5dymX3P5
— WDVM-TV (@WDVMTV) July 20, 2020
Photo courtesy of NinaKapur's Twitter Page