New York police have arrested one of two people they suspect of taking and crashing an empty subway train.

The person arrested, a 17-year-old girl, is charged with criminal mischief over the incident in Briarwood subway station in Queens, shortly after midnight on 12 September.

She and her companion are accused of entering and operating the train, then causing a “collision”, after which they fled on foot.

A search continues for the companion. No injuries were reported in the crash.

It remains unclear how the pair gained access to the train.

They were able to drive the vehicle about 50ft (15m), said Demetrius Crichlow, the interim president of the New York City Transit authority.

Asked how the pair knew how to control the train, Mr Crichlow said: “It’s unclear at this point the experience of these two individuals, (or) where they got it.”

He described the brief joyride as “an extremely foolish and reckless act” and said security cameras were being “aggressively” installed to deter repeat incidents.

As well as the criminal mischief charge, the arrested teenager has also been charged with reckless endangerment.

Surveillance images released by police showed one suspect dressed fully in pink – including a shower cap.

The second person was described by police as a male with a slim build and light complexion – who was last seen wearing a blue tank top and red shorts, and carrying a black backpack.

A similar incident was reported in January at Forest Hills-71st Avenue station, also in Queens. Again, nobody was hurt and no damage was reported.

At the time, officials speculated that a stolen key was used.

They moved to reassure the public that the train would not have been able to leave its yard and reach active tracks.